'Nicothoe astaci' definitions:

Definition of 'Nicothoe astaci'

From: GCIDE
  • Lobster \Lob"ster\, n. [AS. loppestre, lopystre prob., corrupted fr. L. locusta a marine shellfish, a kind of lobster, a locust. Cf. Locust.] (Zool.)
  • 1. Any large macrurous crustacean used as food, esp. those of the genus Homarus; as the American lobster ({Homarus Americanus}), and the European lobster ({Homarus vulgaris}). The Norwegian lobster (Nephrops Norvegicus) is similar in form. All these have a pair of large unequal claws. The spiny lobsters of more southern waters, belonging to Palinurus, Panulirus, and allied genera, have no large claws. The fresh-water crayfishes are sometimes called lobsters. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. As a term of opprobrium or contempt: A gullible, awkward, bungling, or undesirable person. [Slang] [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
  • Lobster caterpillar (Zool.), the caterpillar of a European bombycid moth (Stauropus fagi); -- so called from its form.
  • Lobster louse (Zool.), a copepod crustacean ({Nicotho["e] astaci}) parasitic on the gills of the European lobster. [1913 Webster]