malacostracan, a. and n.
(mæləˈkɒstrəkən)
[f. mod.L. malacostraca pl., Gr. µαλακόστρακα, neut. pl. of µαλακόστρακος softed-shelled (f. µαλακός soft + ὄστρακον shell) + -an.]
a. adj. Of or belonging to the Malacostraca, one of the orders of the Crustacea. b. n. An individual of this order.
| 1835 Kirby Hab. & Inst. Anim. II. xiv. 18 He [Dr. Leach] further subdivides..the Crustaceans into Entomostracans and Malacostracans. 1859 Darwin Orig. Spec. xiv. (1878) 390 The whole great malacostracan order. 1893 Shipley Zool. Invertebrata 280 The characteristic Malacostracan excretory gland is found opening on the second antennæ. |