nauplius

noun

nau·​pli·​us ˈnȯ-plē-əs How to pronounce nauplius (audio)
plural nauplii ˈnȯ-plē-ˌī How to pronounce nauplius (audio)
-ˌē
: a crustacean larva in usually the first stage after leaving the egg and with three pairs of appendages, a median eye, and little or no segmentation

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, a shellfish, from Greek nauplios

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nauplius was in 1836

Dictionary Entries Near nauplius

naupliosoma

nauplius

Nauru

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Cite this Entry

“Nauplius.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nauplius. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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