Zool. Pl. brachiopods, also in mod.L. form brachiopoda. [ad. mod.L. brachiopoda, sb. pl. f. Gr. βραχίω-ν arm + πούς, ποδ- foot.]
A bivalve mollusk distinguished by having, on each side of the mouth, a long spiral arm, used in procuring food. Also attrib.
1836. Penny Cycl., V. 310/2. The generative system of the Brachiopod. Ibid., 311/1. The Brachiopods … are stationary.
1859. Darwin, Orig. Spec., xi (1878), 307. Certain Brachiopods have been but slightly modified from an extremely remote geological epoch. Ibid., ii. (1872), 35. Brachiopod shells.
Hence Brachiopodist, one versed in the study of brachiopods; Brachiopodous a., of or resembling the brachiopoda.
1836. Penny Cycl., V. 310/2. The spiral disposition of the arms is common to the whole of the brachiopodous genera … hitherto … examined.
1881. Q. Jrnl. Geol. Soc., 215. Nothing is left undone by that distinguished brachiopodist.
