a. Zool. [f. mod.L. suctōrius (n. pl. Suctōria, sc. animālia, the name of various zoological Groups), f. suct-, sūgĕre to SUCK v.] Of an organ: Adapted for sucking. Of an animal: Having organs adapted for sucking or having the power of suction; belonging to any of the groups named Suctoria in which the mouth is adapted for sucking, or which possess sucking disks, or the like. Of a habit, etc.: Involving or characterized by suction.
1833. Owen, Descr. Catal. Comp. Anat., II. 80. When the Lamprey is firmly attached … to foreign bodies by means of its suctorial mouth.
1835–6. Todd’s Cycl. Anat., I. 267/2. The Tenuirostres … or suctorial birds.
1846. Patterson, Zool., 61. Suctorial discs, such as those of the leeches.
1851. Richardson, Geol., viii. 267. The Hemiptera … are suctorial insects.
1880. Bastian, Brain, vi. 99. Owing to the suctorial habits of these fierce and predatory creatures, the œsophagus is very narrow.
1900–13. Dorland, Med. Dict., 672/1. Suctorial pad.
So Suctorian, a member of the Suctoria; esp. a cyclostomous fish.
1842. Brande, Dict. Sci., etc.
