Gnathopoda (nathopoda)

pl. [NL., neut. pl. of gnathopus: see gnathopod.] 1t. The xiphosures or horseshoe crabs regarded as an order of Arachnid a. Straus- Durkheim, 1829.2. In some systems of cla ification, a subcla or suborder of Crustacea, corresponding to En to most raca in a broad sense; the lower series of the crustaceans, contrasted with the malacostracans or Thoracipoda. Instead of the terms Mala cost raca and Entomostraca the terms Thoracipoda and Gnathopoda , which embody the salient character in each subcla . H. Woodward, Encyc. Brit., VI. 654. 3. An exact synonym of Arthropod a considered as a prime division of a phylum Appendi culata (which see). E. R. Lankester . [Little gnathopodite (na-thop'ō-dīt), n. [As gnatho pod + -ite2 .] One of the limbs which in crustaceans and other arthropods are modified into mouth-parts; a mouth-foot, jaw-foot, or footjaw; a maxilliped; a gnathite. used.] gnathopodous (na-thop'o-dus), a. [As gnathopod+-ous.] Same as gnathopod and arthropo do us.