ˌmaləˈkästrəkə noun plural
Usage: capitalized
Etymology: New Latin, from Greek malakostraka, neuter plural of malakostrakos soft-shelled, from malak- malac- + -ostrakos (from ostrakon shell) — more at oyster
: a major subclass of Crustacea including most of the well-known marine, freshwater, and terrestrial members of the group (as lobsters, crabs, shrimps, sow bugs, beach fleas)
• mal·a·cos·tra·can | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷|kästrəkən adjective or noun
• mal·a·cos·tra·cous -kəs adjective