Definition of mollusk

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< molluscum

molluskan >

mol·lusk also mol·lusc    (mlsk) KEY 

NOUN:

Any of numerous chiefly marine invertebrates of the phylum Mollusca, typically having a soft unsegmented body, a mantle, and a protective calcareous shell and including the edible shellfish and the snails.

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ETYMOLOGY:
French mollusque, from New Latin Mollusca, phylum name, from neuter pl. of Latin molluscus, thin-shelled, from mollis, soft; see mel-¹ in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
mol·luscous  (m-lsks) KEY (Adjective)