Snail

Pronunciation
/snayl/
Category
General Zoology
Singular
Snail
Plural
Snails

Definition

A slow-moving, herbivorous mollusk with a spiral shell, found both on land and in water. Not directly related to insects or arachnids but often cohabits similar environments.

Etymology

Old English 'snæg(e)l', related to Old Norse 'snigill' and Dutch 'snoek'.

Example

Garden snails are often found in moist environments where they feed on plants and vegetables.

Synonyms

  • Gastropod
  • Freshwater snail
  • Land snail

Related Terms

Usage Notes

While not insects or arachnids, snails are sometimes discussed in entomology due to ecological interactions.