ophiuran noun & adjective. [ɒfɪ'(j)ʊǝrǝn] M19.
[from mod. Latin ophiura (see below), from Greek ophis snake + oura tail, from the long, snakelike arms: see -AN.]
Zoology.
A. noun. A star-shaped echinoderm of the subclass Ophiuroidea or the genus Ophiura, comprising species with small bodies and well-defined slender arms; a brittle-star, a sand-star. M19.
b. adjective. Of or pertaining to this genus or subclass. E20.

■ ophiurid adjective & noun (a) noun any member of the subclass Ophiuroidea, esp. one of the family Ophiuridae; (b) adjective of or pertaining to this subclass or family: L19.

■ 'ophiuroid noun & adjective (a) noun any member of the subclass Ophiuroidea; a brittle-star; (b) adjective of or pertaining to this subclass: L19.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲