Illustration of nudibranch
nudibranch
noun
nu·di·branch ˈnü-də-ˌbraŋk 
ˈnyü-
plural nudibranchs
: any of an order (Nudibranchia) of marine opisthobranch mollusks without a shell in the adult state and without true gills
nudibranch adjective
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web With over 3,000 different species on record, the nudibranch is an extremely versatile kind of sea slug. 
Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, 17 Aug. 2022 For example, the Hilton’s nudibranch, a predatory sea slug, expanded northward during the Blob, which led to a decline in local nudibranchs. Erica Nielsen, The Conversation, 4 Oct. 2021 The nudibranch, besides using the hydroids for habitat, regularly consume its home colony’s polyps. Sid Perkins, Science | AAAS, 31 Oct. 2017 With their dazzling colors and intricate patterns, nudibranchs are among the world’s most glamorous marine creatures. Brigit Katz, Smithsonian, 4 Nov. 2017 The video from his April 17 dive revealed vibrant sea creatures that have made the chilly northern waters their home—among them, a transparent Arctic jellyfish, a sparkly skeleton shrimp, and a white nudibranch, or soft-bodied mollusk. Hannah Lang, National Geographic, 6 July 2017 But the nudibranchs were doing something that had never been observed before: stealing prey by eating the original predator. Brigit Katz, Smithsonian, 4 Nov. 2017 The nudibranch Cratena peregrina (pictured), a type of sea slug, often attacks prey that have just eaten, thus getting an extra boost of nutrition from the prey’s undigested meal, a new analysis reveals. Sid Perkins, Science | AAAS, 31 Oct. 2017 If threatened by a predator, the nudibranch will discharge the stinging cells, says Valdés. Liz Langley, National Geographic, 28 Jan. 2017 See More
Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, 17 Aug. 2022 For example, the Hilton’s nudibranch, a predatory sea slug, expanded northward during the Blob, which led to a decline in local nudibranchs. Erica Nielsen, The Conversation, 4 Oct. 2021 The nudibranch, besides using the hydroids for habitat, regularly consume its home colony’s polyps. Sid Perkins, Science | AAAS, 31 Oct. 2017 With their dazzling colors and intricate patterns, nudibranchs are among the world’s most glamorous marine creatures. Brigit Katz, Smithsonian, 4 Nov. 2017 The video from his April 17 dive revealed vibrant sea creatures that have made the chilly northern waters their home—among them, a transparent Arctic jellyfish, a sparkly skeleton shrimp, and a white nudibranch, or soft-bodied mollusk. Hannah Lang, National Geographic, 6 July 2017 But the nudibranchs were doing something that had never been observed before: stealing prey by eating the original predator. Brigit Katz, Smithsonian, 4 Nov. 2017 The nudibranch Cratena peregrina (pictured), a type of sea slug, often attacks prey that have just eaten, thus getting an extra boost of nutrition from the prey’s undigested meal, a new analysis reveals. Sid Perkins, Science | AAAS, 31 Oct. 2017 If threatened by a predator, the nudibranch will discharge the stinging cells, says Valdés. Liz Langley, National Geographic, 28 Jan. 2017 See More Word History
Etymology
New Latin Nudibranchia, from Latin nudus + Greek branchia gills
First Known Use
1844, in the meaning defined above