merostomata

pl. [Mod. Lat., from Gr. mēros thigh, and stoma =a mouth.] Zool .: A legion of Crustacea; the individuals are often of gigantic size. The mouth is furnished with mandibles and maxillæ, the terminations of which become walking or swimming feet, and organs of prehension. It contains one recent order, Xiphosura (King-crabs or Horseshoe crabs), and one extinct, Eurypterid a. Měr-o-vin-gi-an, a . & s . [From Low Lat. Mer ovius = Mer - wig = the great warrior, who founded the dynasty in the early part of the fifth century.] A. As adjective : 1. A term applied to the earliest dynasty of French kings. It was succeeded by the Carlovin gian dynasty in 752. 2. A term applied to the written characters of French MSS. of the Me roving i an period. B. As subst.: A sovereign of the Me roving i an dynasty.