Dictionary
mollusk
noun mol·lusk \ˈmä-ləsk\
biology : any one of a large group of animals (such as snails and clams) that have a soft body without a backbone and that usually live in a shell
Full Definition of MOLLUSK
: any of a large phylum (Mollusca) of invertebrate animals (as snails, clams, or squids) with a soft unsegmented body usually enclosed in a calcareous shell; broadly : shellfish
— mol·lus·can also mol·lus·kan \mə-ˈləs-kən, mä-\ adjective
See mollusk defined for English-language learners
See mollusk defined for kids
Variants of MOLLUSK
mol·lusk or mol·lusc \ˈmä-ləsk\
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of MOLLUSK
French mollusque, from New Latin Mollusca, from Latin, neuter plural of molluscus thin-shelled (of a nut), from mollis
First Known Use: 1783
Other Invertebrates (Except Insects) Terms
MOLLUSK Defined for Kids
mollusk
noun mol·lusk \ˈmä-ləsk\
Definition of MOLLUSK for Kids
: an animal (as a clam, snail, or octopus) that lives mostly in water and has a soft body usually enclosed in a shell containing calcium
Medical Dictionary
mollusk
noun mol·lusk
Medical Definition of MOLLUSK
: any invertebrate animal of the phylum Mollusca
—mol·lus·can also mol·lus·kan \mə-ˈles-kən, mä-\ adjective
Variants of MOLLUSK
mol·lusk or mol·lusc \ˈmäl-əsk\
Learn More About MOLLUSK
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: mollyPrevious Word in the Dictionary: molluscicideAll Words Near: mollusk
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up mollusk? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).