Brachyurous

/brəˈkɪʊrəs/ adjective

Definition

Having a short tail; relating to or characterized by short-tailedness, particularly in crustaceans or other animals.

Etymology

From Greek 'brachys' (short) + 'oura' (tail) + '-ous' (adjective-forming suffix meaning 'full of' or 'characterized by').

Kelly Says

The '-ous' ending flips the meaning slightly—'brachyurous' describes the trait itself (being short-tailed) rather than membership in a group, which is why you'd say a creature is 'brachyurous' but 'a brachyuran'!

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