Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
operculate
Adjective
/ˌɒp.ərˈkjʊl.ət/
Definition
Having a lid or covering; closed with a lid.
Examples
- The operculate shell of the snail protects it from predators.
- In botany, many flowering plants have operculate capsules that release seeds when they mature.
- Some fish, like the goldfish, are operculate, meaning they have a bony flap covering their gills.
Meaning
The term ‘operculate’ generally refers to organisms or structures that are covered or sealed with a lid. In biology, it is commonly used to describe certain types of shells or openings, such as in some types of snails, where the shell has a plate that can close over the opening.
Synonyms
- Covered
- Sealed
- Closed
