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Definition of siphonoplax
siphonoplax
/saɪˈfɒnəplæks/
si · phon · o · plax
Plural:siphonoplaces
siphonoplax Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
13
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
Syllables
4
• noun
1
A calcareous, chitinous, or horny plate or tubular extension at the posterior end of the shell in certain bivalve mollusks, functioning to protect the animal's siphons.
Example
"The malacologist carefully measured the siphonoplax of the boring bivalve to understand how it shields its vulnerable siphons from abrasive rock."
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from Greek 'siphōn' (tube, pipe) and 'plax' (flat plate or tablet).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Siphonoplax. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/siphonoplax