epiphragm

noun

ep·i·phragm ˈe-pə-ˌfram

: a closing membrane or septum (as of a snail shell or a moss capsule)

Examples of epiphragm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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In addition to keeping the snails safely secured to surfaces, this temporary adhesive, known as the epiphragm, retains moisture and prevents their bodies from drying out. —

Meilan Solly, Smithsonian, 20 June 2019

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin epiphragma, borrowed from Greek epíphragma "lid, cover," from epiphrak-, stem of epiphrássein "to block up" (from epi- epi- + phrássein, Attic phráttein "to fence in, enclose, block," of obscure origin) + -ma, resultative noun suffix

First Known Use

circa 1854, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of epiphragm was circa 1854

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