serpula

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. Any of numerous species of tubicolous annelids of the genus Serpula and allied genera of the family Serpulidae that secrete a calcareous tube, usually irregularly contorted, but sometimes spirally coiled, with a wreath of plumelike and often bright-colored gills around its head, and usually an operculum to close the aperture of its tube when it retracts.

Word forms

serpula serpulas serpulae

Etymology

From Latin serpula. See serpent.

Synonyms

calcareous tubeworm serpulid tubeworm fanworm plume worm

Derived words

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