malacostracan


malacostracan

(ˌmæləˈkɒstrəkən) n (Animals) any crustacean of the subclass or group Malacostraca, including lobsters, crabs, woodlice, sand hoppers, and opossum shrimpsadj (Zoology) of, relating to, or belonging to the Malacostraca[C19: from New Latin, from Greek malakōstrakos, from malaco- + ostrakon shell]

mal•a•cos•tra•can

(ˌmæl əˈkɒs trə kən)

adj. 1. belonging or pertaining to the crustacean subclass Malacostraca, characterized by 20 body segments: includes lobsters, shrimps, and crabs. n. 2. a malacostracan crustacean. [1825–35; « Greek, neuter pl. of malakóstrakos soft-shelled]