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cloaca Definition

cloa·ca (klō ā)

noun pl. cloacae -·cae′ (-sē′, -kē′) or cloacas -·cas

  1. a sewer or cesspool
  2. Zool.
    1. the cavity into which both the intestinal and the genitourinary tracts empty in reptiles, birds, amphibians, and many fishes
    2. in some invertebrates, a similar cavity serving as an excretory, respiratory, and reproductive duct

Etymology: L < cluere, to cleanse < IE base *lū-, to rinse, clean > Gr klyzein, to wash, Ger lauter, pure

Related Forms:

  • cloacal cloa′·cal (-kəl) adjective
cloaca Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

  • large: The male can be distinguished from the female by his larger throat spots and large swollen cloaca ( reproductive opening ).

Browse dictionary entries near cloaca

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  7. clitoris
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  1. cloacae
  2. cloacal
  3. cloacas
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  5. cloak-and-dagger
  6. cloakroom
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  10. clock