purse crab en · NOUN
Meanings
- A crab of species Birgus latro, of Indo-Pacific islands.
- Any member of the family (Leucosiidae) of crabs characterized by an adult female having the abdomen formed into a hemispherical cup that snaps shut against the sternum to form a brood chamber for the eggs.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| purse crabs | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Synonyms
tree crab (Birgus latro) · coconut crab (Birgus latro) · palm thief (Birgus latro) · robber crab (Birgus latro)