sb. pl. Zool. [mod. L. neuter pl. of crustāceus adj. (sc. animālia: see below. Introduced by Lamarck, 1801, as a name of the class of animals called by Cuvier, 1798, les insectes crustacées: cf. CRUSTACEOUS 3.] A large class of Arthropodous animals, mostly aquatic, characterized by a hard, close-fitting, usually chitinous shell or ‘crust’ which is shed periodically; comprising Crabs, Lobsters, Crayfish, Prawns, Shrimps, and many others.
1814. W. E. Leach, in Trans. Linn. Soc., XI. 306 (title), Arrangement of the Crustacea, [etc.].
1828. Stark, Elem. Nat. Hist., II. 144. They [Crustacea] respire by branchiæ…. They have a distinct heart provided with circulating vessels.
1848. Carpenter, Anim. Phys., ii. (1872), 108. Most of the Crustacea, like insects, come forth from the eggs in a state very different from their adult form.
