Malacissation
(Mal`a*cis*sa"tion) n. [L. malacissare to make soft, Gr. .] The act of making soft or
supple. [Obs.] Bacon.
Malacobdella
(||Mal`a*cob*del"la) n. [NL., fr. Gr. soft + a leech.] (Zoöl.) A genus of nemertean worms,
parasitic in the gill cavity of clams and other bivalves. They have a large posterior sucker, like that of a
leech. See Illust. of Bdellomorpha.
Malacoderm
(Mal"a*co*derm) n. [Gr. soft + skin.] (Zoöl.) One of a tribe of beetles with a soft and flexible
body, as the fireflies.
Malacolite
(Mal"a*co*lite) n. [Gr. soft + -lite.] (Min.) A variety of pyroxene.
Malacologist
(Mal`a*col"o*gist) n. One versed in the science of malacology.
Malacology
(Mal`a*col"o*gy) n. [Gr. soft + -logy: cf. F. malacologie.] The science which relates to the
structure and habits of mollusks.
Malacopoda
(||Mal`a*cop"o*da) n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. soft + -poda.] (Zoöl.) A class of air-breathing Arthropoda; —
called also Protracheata, and Onychophora.
They somewhat resemble myriapods, and have from seventeen to thirty-three pairs of short, imperfectly
jointed legs, two pairs of simple jaws, and a pair of antennæ. The trancheæ are connected with numerous
spiracles scattered over the surface of the body. Peripatus is the only known genus. See Peripatus.
Malacopterygian
(Mal`a*cop`ter*yg"i*an) n. [Cf. F. malacoptérygien.] (Zoöl.) One of the Malacopterygii.
Malacopterygii
(||Mal`a*cop`te*ryg"i*i) n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. soft + wing, fin, fr. feather.] (Zoöl.) An order
of fishes in which the fin rays, except the anterior ray of the pectoral and dorsal fins, are closely jointed,
and not spiny. It includes the carp, pike, salmon, shad, etc. Called also Malacopteri.
Malacopterygious
(Mal`a*cop`ter*yg"i*ous) a. (Zoöl.) Belonging to the Malacopterygii.
Malacosteon
(Mal`a*cos"te*on) n. [NL., Gr. fr. soft + bone.] (Med.) A peculiar disease of the bones,
in consequence of which they become softened and capable of being bent without breaking.
Malacostomous
(Mal`a*cos"to*mous) a. [Gr. soft + mouth.] (Zoöl.) Having soft jaws without teeth, as
certain fishes.
Malacostraca
(||Mal`a*cos"tra*ca) n. pl. [NL., from Gr. soft + shell of a testacean.] (Zoöl.) A subclass
of Crustacea, including Arthrostraca and Thoracostraca, or all those higher than the Entomostraca.
Malacostracan
(Mal`a*cos"tra*can) n. (Zoöl.) One of the Malacostraca.
Malacostracology
(Mal`a*cos`tra*col"o*gy) n. [Malacostracan + -logy.] That branch of zoölogical science
which relates to the crustaceans; — called also carcinology.
Malacostracous
(Mal`a*cos"tra*cous) a. (Zoöl.) Belonging to the Malacostraca.
Malacotoon
(Mal`a*co*toon") n. (Bot.) See Melocoton.
Malacozoa
(||Mal`a*co*zo"a) n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. soft + zo^,on an animal.] (Zoöl.) An extensive group of
Invertebrata, including the Mollusca, Brachiopoda, and Bryozoa. Called also Malacozoaria.
Malacozoic
(Mal`a*co*zo"ic) a. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the Malacozoa.
Maladdress
(Mal`ad*dress") n. [Mal- + address.] Bad address; an awkward, tactless, or offensive way
of accosting one or talking with one. W. D. Howells.
