ostracod
noun
os·tra·cod
| \ ˈä-strə-ˌkäd
\
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variants:
or less commonly ostracode \ ˈä-strə-ˌkōd
\
\
Definition of ostracod
: any of a subclass (Ostracoda) of very small aquatic crustaceans that have the body enclosed in a bivalve carapace, the body segmentation obscured, the abdomen rudimentary, and only seven pairs of appendages
Examples of ostracod in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Oakley and Ellis studied ten groups of organisms, including fireflies, octopuses, sharks and tiny crustaceans called ostracods. — Quanta Magazine, "In the Deep, Clues to How Life Makes Light," 1 Dec. 2016 Modern ostracods today are similarly well-endowed and some produce absolutely humongous sperm, ten times the size of the male himself. — Tim Laman, National Geographic, "Hot Water: The Bizarre Sex Lives of Ocean Creatures," 14 Feb. 2016 Modern ostracods today are similarly well-endowed and some produce absolutely humongous sperm, ten times the size of the male himself. — National Geographic, "Hot Water: The Bizarre Sex Lives of Ocean Creatures," 14 Feb. 2016These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ostracod.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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