Home UK English xiphosurid

Meaning of xiphosurid in English:

xiphosurid

Pronunciation /zɪfə(ʊ)ˈsjʊərɪd/ /zɪfə(ʊ)ˈsʊərɪd/

adjective

Zoology

  • Designating an arthropod of the chelicerate family Xiphosuridae (also called Limulidae), characterized by a distinctive horseshoe-shaped carapace and a long spine-like telson; of or relating to this family.

    The horseshoe crab Limulus and its allies are the only extant members.

noun

Zoology

  • A xiphosurid arthropod.

Origin

1960s; earliest use found in Proceedings of the Geological Society of London. From scientific Latin Xiphosurus, former genus name (L. J. FitzingerNeue Classification der Reptilien 48; from Xiphosura, former genus name) + -id, after scientific Latin Xiphosurida, family name and later order or suborder name.