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spirula

spirula

9.9
A small deep-sea animal like a squid with short arms and an inner shell coiled like a flat spiral
  • noun
  • /ˈspɪrʊlə/
  • Specialized
: espirula
  • The unusual shell of the spirula often washes up on beaches after storms.

Examples

  • The spirula is rarely seen alive because it inhabits deep tropical ocean waters.

  • Marine biologists study the spirula to understand the evolution of cephalopods.

  • The spirula is known for its unique shell.

  • Did you see a spirula at the aquarium?

  • Marine biologists study the spirula to understand the evolution of cephalopods.

  • The spirula is rarely seen alive because it inhabits deep tropical ocean waters.

  • The unusual shell of the spirula often washes up on beaches after storms.

Synonyms

Spirula peronii
vsspirula
  • Specialized
9.9

A small sea animal like a squid with a flat, coiled shell inside

is the genus name covering that and related species

Compounds

Spirula peronii
  • Specialized
9.9

A small sea animal like a squid with a flat, coiled shell inside

Surface Forms

spirula singular
spirulas plural

Etymology

The word spirula comes from the Latin spira meaning 'coil' or 'spiral'. It was named for the animal's small, flat, coiled shell, so think of a little 'spiral' shell to remember spirula is a deep-sea animal.