— cloacal , adj.
/kloh ay"keuh/ , n. , pl. cloacae /-see/ .
1. Zool.
a. the common cavity into which the intestinal, urinary, and generative canals open in birds, reptiles, amphibians, many fishes, and certain mammals.
b. a similar cavity in invertebrates.
2. a sewer, esp. an ancient sewer.
[ 1650-60; clo ( u ) aca, cluaca sewer, drain; prob. akin to Gk klýzein to wash, wash away ]