mollusc
2 synonyms for mollusc, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A soft-bodied invertebrate animal of the phylum Mollusca, usually protected by a hard shell.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use mollusc
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
marine mollusc
bivalve mollusc
freshwater mollusc
It is a neutral, fairly scientific word used in biology and everyday nature writing alike.
Etymology
English took the word from French mollusque, which came from the New Latin phylum name Mollusca. That in turn goes back to the Latin molluscus, from mollis, meaning soft.
Full origin of mollusc →Frequently asked questions
What is a mollusc?
A mollusc is a soft-bodied invertebrate animal that usually has a hard shell. Bivalves, gastropods and cephalopods are all types of mollusc.
Is mollusc spelled mollusk in American English?
Yes. Mollusk is the American spelling, while mollusc is the usual British one.
How do you pronounce mollusc?
In British Received Pronunciation it is said MOL-uhsk, with the stress on the first syllable.
