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Webster 1913 Edition

Ophiuroidea

{ ‖

Oˊphi-uˊri-oi′de-a

, ‖

Oˊphi-u-roi′de-a

, }

Noun.

pl.

[NL., fr. Gr.

ὄφισ

serpent +

ὀυρά

tail +

εἶδοσ

form.]

(Zool.)

A class of star-shaped echinoderms having a disklike body, with slender, articulated arms, which are not grooved beneath and are often very fragile; – called also

Ophiuroida

and

Ophiuridea

. See Illust. under

.