polyplacophore
- noun
- /ˌpɒliˈplækəˌfɔr/
- Specialized
:
poliplacóforo
- The shell of a polyplacophore is made up of eight distinct plates, allowing it to flex over rough surfaces.
Examples
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The polyplacophore crawled slowly across the rocky tide pool, its plates gleaming under the water.
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The polyplacophore clings tightly to rocks in the ocean.
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Many biologists study the polyplacophore for clues about the evolution of mollusks.
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Look at that polyplacophore on the rock!
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The polyplacophore crawled slowly across the rocky tide pool, its plates gleaming under the water.
-
The shell of a polyplacophore is made up of eight distinct plates, allowing it to flex over rough surfaces.
-
Many biologists study the polyplacophore for clues about the evolution of mollusks.
Synonyms
An animal that lives on rocks in the sea with a shell of eight hard plates
A sea animal with a shell of eight hard plates that clings to rocks
A sea animal with eight overlapping hard plates that clings to rocks
Surface Forms
Morphology
polyplacophore = poly + placo + phore
This is a learned zoological term built from classical combining forms, but an average B1 learner is unlikely to infer the meaning of a chiton from 'poly-', 'placo', and '-phore'.
Etymology
Polyplacophore comes from Greek parts poly- 'many', placo- 'plate', like a dinner plate, and -phore 'to carry'. So it literally means 'many-plate carrier', which helps you remember that this sea animal carries many plates on its back.
