How Do You Spell LIMULUS?

Pronunciation: [lˈɪmjʊləs] (IPA)

The word "limulus" is spelled using the Latin alphabet with six letters. It is pronounced /ˈlaɪmjʊləs/ and can be separated into two parts: "limu" and "lus". The first part comes from the Latin word "limus", meaning "mud", while the second part is a diminutive suffix indicating smallness. This word is commonly used to refer to a genus of horseshoe crabs. The spelling of "limulus" may appear strange, but its phonetic transcription offers a clear understanding of its pronunciation.

LIMULUS Meaning and Definition

1. Limulus is a noun that refers to a genus of marine arthropods commonly known as horseshoe crabs. It can also be used as a common name to refer to any species within this genus. The term is derived from the Latin word 'limus', meaning "mud" or "mire," which aptly reflects the habitat preferences of these creatures.

   Horseshoe crabs of the genus Limulus are characterized by their distinctive hard exoskeleton, which resembles a horseshoe in shape. They are considered living fossils, as they have evolved very little over hundreds of millions of years, dating back to the Late Ordovician period. Limulus are often found dwelling along shallow coastal areas, such as muddy estuaries or sandy beaches, where they feed on benthic invertebrates.

   These ancient arthropods play a significant ecological role as indicators of ecosystem health, as well as serving as a vital resource for biomedical research. The blood of Limulus contains a unique clotting agent called Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL), which has proven invaluable in detecting bacterial endotoxins, leading to its use in testing various medical products for safety.

   The term "limulus" is frequently used in scientific contexts, such as zoology and marine biology, to describe various species within this genus. It is associated with a group of mesmerizing creatures that have withstood the test of time and continue to fascinate scientists and nature enthusiasts alike with their remarkable antiquity and ecological importance.

2. The Molucca crab, the king crab, or horse-shoe crab, a creature of singular form, having a long spear-shaped tail.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for LIMULUS

• kimulus
• pimulus
• oimulus
• ljmulus
• lkmulus
• lomulus
• l9mulus
• l8mulus
• linulus
• likulus
• lijulus
• limylus
• limhlus
• limjlus
• limilus
• lim8lus
• lim7lus
• limukus
• limupus

Etymology of LIMULUS

The word "limulus" has its origins in Latin. It is derived from the combination of two Latin words: "limus" meaning "mud" or "slime" and "-ulus" which is a diminutive suffix. Therefore, "limulus" can be translated to "little mud" or "little slime". This word was used to describe the horseshoe crab, a marine arthropod known for its habitat in muddy or sandy areas.

Plural form of LIMULUS is LIMULI