operculum

noun

a hard flap serving as a cover for (a) the gill slits in fishes or (b) the opening of the shell in certain gastropods when the body is retracted

Roots

operireoper- · Latin · to cover, close culum-culum · Latin · instrument, means

Synonyms & related words for operculum

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Words related to operculum

Explore words related to operculum — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include suboperculum, opercular, operculate, inoperculate, subopercular, peristome, sclerite, umbonal. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Where does operculum come from?

The word operculum breaks down into 2 roots of Latin origin: oper, from Latin operire (“to cover, close”); and -culum, from Latin culum (“instrument, means”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.