1. having an operculum or lid-like covering
Usage: biology; technical

Examples

• The operculate gastropod shells have a protective door-like structure.
• Many operculate snails can seal themselves inside their shells.
• The biologist studied operculate mollusks in the tide pools.
• Operculate fish have gill covers that protect their breathing organs.
• The operculate structure helps protect the organism from predators.