Operculum

[әu'pә:kjulәm]

Definition

(noun.) a hard flap serving as a cover for (a) the gill slits in fishes or (b) the opening of the shell in certain gastropods when the body is retracted.

Typed by Brian--From WordNet

Definition

(n.) The lid of a pitcherform leaf.

(n.) The lid of the urnlike capsule of mosses.

(n.) Any lidlike or operculiform process or part; as, the opercula of a dental follicle.

(n.) The fold of integument, usually supported by bony plates, which protects the gills of most fishes and some amphibians; the gill cover; the gill lid.

(n.) The principal opercular bone in the upper and posterior part of the gill cover.

(n.) The lid closing the aperture of various species of shells, as the common whelk. See Illust. of Gastropoda.

(n.) Any lid-shaped structure closing the aperture of a tube or shell.

Typed by Beryl

Definition

n. (bot.) a cover or lid: (zool.) the plate over the entrance of a shell: the apparatus which protects the gills of fishes:—pl. Oper′cula.—adjs. Oper′cular belonging to the operculum; Oper′culate -d having an operculum; Operculif′erous; Oper′culiform; Operculig′enous; Operculig′erous.

Checker: Lorrie