ancistrosyrinx

noun

an·​cis·​tro·​syrinx
an¦sistrō +
1
capitalized : a small genus (family Turritidae) of gastropod mollusks that occur in warm deep seas and have delicate steeply shouldered pale shells ringed with upward-curving spines
2
plural ancistrosyringes : any mollusk or shell of the genus Ancistrosyrinx

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek ankistron fishhook + syrinx shepherd's pipe

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ancistrosyrinx was in 1881

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near ancistrosyrinx

Cite this Entry

“Ancistrosyrinx.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ancistrosyrinx. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!