glochidium

G2L1O1C3H4I1D2I1U1M3

noun

The larva or young of the mussel.

“Glochidia were once believed to be parasites on the gills of the parents.”

Similar
glochid
OriginAncient Greek γλωχίς →
Scrabble 19
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Meanings

nounglochidium (plural glochidia)

plural glochidia

  1. biologyThe larva or young of the mussel.

    Glochidia were once believed to be parasites on the gills of the parents.

  2. biologyA glochid, or cactus spine.

Synonyms & antonyms

nouna barbed spine or bristle (often tufted on cacti)

Similar
glochid
Broader
spinethornprickle
Also see
glochid

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

  1. Ancient Greekγλωχίς“barb of an arrow”
  2. Englishglochidium

From Ancient Greek γλωχίς (glōkhís, “barb of an arrow”) + -idium.

More words from Ancient Greek

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

glochidium. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/glochidium

MLA

“glochidium.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/glochidium. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “glochidium,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/glochidium.

Source: glochidium on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.