2 definitions
for horseshoe crab
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :
Limulus \Lim"u*lus\ (l[i^]m"[-u]*l[u^]s), n.; pl. Limuli
(-l[imac]). [L., dim. of limus sidelong, askance.] (Zool.)
The only existing genus of Merostomata. It includes only a
few species from the East Indies, and one ({Limulus
polyphemus) from the Atlantic coast of North America. Called
also Molucca crab, king crab, horseshoe crab, and
horsefoot.
[1913 Webster]
From WordNet (r) 2.0 :
horseshoe crab
n : large marine arthropod of the Atlantic coast of North
America having a domed carapace that is shaped like a
horseshoe and a stiff pointed tail; a living fossil
related to the wood louse [syn: king crab, Limulus
polyphemus, Xiphosurus polyphemus]