shell gland

noun

1
: a looped tubular excretory organ of an entomostracan or the young of many other crustaceans that ends blindly at one extremity and opens to the exterior on or near the second maxilla
2
: a glandular organ in the embryo of many mollusks that secretes the embryonic shell
3
: a specialized glandular part of the oviduct of many animals that forms the egg's shell

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near shell gland

Cite this Entry

“Shell gland.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shell%20gland. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!