Skip to main content
suctorial

suctorial

1 9.9
Able to stick to something by sucking
  • adjective
  • /sʌkˈtɔːriəl/
  • Specialized
: succionador
  • The remora’s suctorial organ allows it to cling to larger marine animals for transportation.

Examples

  • The suctorial adaptations of the octopus help it capture prey.

  • The leech attaches to its host using its suctorial mouthparts.

  • Certain frogs have developed suctorial disks on their toes to climb smooth surfaces.

  • Some fish have suctorial mouths that allow them to feed efficiently.

  • The octopus has suctorial arms that help it hold onto rocks and prey.

  • Many insects have suctorial mouthparts for feeding on nectar and blood.

  • Certain species of frogs possess suctorial pads on their feet to adhere to surfaces.

Surface Forms

suctorial positive

Morphology

suctorial = suction (transparent) = suct + orial

Formed from the notion of 'suction' (or the verb 'suck') with a standard adjectival ending meaning 'pertaining to or adapted for sucking'; learners who know 'suck' or 'suction' can infer the meaning.

Etymology

Suctorial comes from the root suct- meaning 'to suck', the same idea you hear in the everyday words suction and suck. So a suctorial part is one made for sucking or for holding on by suction, like a suction cup, which explains its modern meaning.