BARNACLE Meaning and
Definition
-
A barnacle is a marine arthropod that belongs to the class Cirripedia, characterized by a hard outer shell and attached to a variety of surfaces in water. Barnacles form extensive colonies and are commonly found in intertidal zones, on rocks, piers, ships, and even on the skin of whales. They have a unique, sessile lifestyle, with adults permanently attaching themselves to their chosen substrate.
Barnacles possess a remarkable adaptation, known as encrustation, where they secrete a cement-like substance to firmly adhere onto surfaces. The outer shell, or exoskeleton, of a barnacle is made of calcareous plates and can vary in size, shape, and color depending on the species. These protective shells enclose the body of the barnacle and provide shelter from predators, as well as a safeguard against desiccation in the intertidal zone.
Feeding for barnacles involves extending appendages known as cirri from the shell to filter tiny organisms, such as plankton, from the surrounding water. They are filter feeders and consume these microscopic organisms by trapping them within their feathery appendages.
Barnacles are important members of marine ecosystems and form an integral part of the intertidal communities as a primary food source for many organisms. They can also cause problems for ship hulls, as their accumulation in large numbers increases drag and affects vessel speed and efficiency.
In a broader sense, the term "barnacle" is sometimes used to refer to any encrusting organism or one that relies on a host for support or sustenance, much like the marine barnacles' reliance on a substrate.
-
A conical shell-fish found on bottoms of ships, and on planks or stones under water; a sort of goose.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for BARNACLE
Etymology of BARNACLE
The word "barnacle" has an interesting etymology that evolved over time. Its roots can be traced back to the Medieval Latin word "barnacula", which referred to certain species of shellfish. This Latin term itself derived from Late Latin "barnaculum" or "bernaculum", ultimately derived from an unknown origin.
During the 13th century, the word was adopted into Old French as "bernacl(e)", also signifying a type of shellfish. English poets borrowed this term and anglicized it as "bernacle" or "bernak". These early English versions still referred to marine creatures, similar to the Latin and Old French origins.
However, by the 14th century, the term "barnacle" started to undergo a semantic shift in English. It began to be used to describe a type of barnacle-like growth that was believed to transform into a goose.
Similar spelling words for BARNACLE
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
