a cavity in the pelvic region of most vertebrates, except higher mammals, and certain invertebrates, into which the alimentary canal and the genital and urinary ducts open
2.
a sewer
Derived forms
cloacal (cloˈacal) or cloacaline (cloˈacaline) or cloacinal (ˌcloaˈcinal)
adjective
Word origin
C18: from Latin: sewer; related to Greek kluzein to wash out
cloaca in American English
(kloʊˈeɪkə)
nounWord forms: pluralcloˈaˌcae (ˈkloʊˈeɪˌsi; ˈkloʊeɪˌki) or cloˈacas
1.
a sewer or cesspool
2. Zoology
a.
the cavity into which both the intestinal and the genitourinary tracts empty in reptiles, birds, amphibians, and many fishes
b.
in some invertebrates, a similar cavity serving as an excretory, respiratory, and reproductive duct
Derived forms
cloacal (cloˈacal) (ˈkloʊeɪkəl)
adjective
Word origin
L < cluere, to cleanse < IE base *lū-, to rinse, clean > Gr klyzein, to wash, Ger lauter, pure