Lobster

Definition

Lobster refers to any of various large marine crustaceans of the family Nephropidae, characterized by a muscular tail, long antennae, and prominent pincers; as a verb (informal), it can mean to catch or serve lobsters.

Parts of Speech

• Noun
• Verb (informal)

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA: /ˈlɑːb.stɚ/
• Respelling: LOB-ster

British English

• IPA: /ˈlɒb.stər/
• Respelling: LOB-ster

Etymology

Middle English lopister “lobster,” from Old English loppestre, from Late Latin locusta “lobster, locust.”

Derivatives

• lobsterman (noun)
• lobstering (noun)
• lobster-pot (noun)

Synonyms

• crustacean
• nephropid

Antonyms

• None

Usage

Noun: The noun "lobster" is used in culinary, biological, and ecological contexts to refer to large edible crustaceans. For example, "We steamed live lobster for the holiday feast," or "The Maine lobster fishery is world-renowned."

Verb: Informally, "to lobster" can mean to catch or prepare lobster. For example, "They lobstered all morning off the coast."

Related Terms

• Crustacean: Aquatic arthropod with a hard exoskeleton and jointed limbs.
• Decapod: An order of crustaceans with ten legs.
• Claw: The pincer-like appendages used for defense and feeding.
• Lobster trap: A cage used to catch lobsters.
• Spiny lobster: A related family (Palinuridae) lacking large claws.

Detailed Definitions

Noun

• A large marine crustacean with pincers – edible species such as the American (Homarus americanus) and European (Homarus gammarus) lobsters.
  • Example: "The chef served butter-poached lobster tail."
• Any member of the family Nephropidae – benthic decapods featuring a hard carapace and muscular abdomen.
  • Example: "Biologists studied the growth rates of juvenile lobsters."

Verb

• To catch or serve lobsters – informal usage among fishers and chefs.
  • Example: "They lobstered off the dock last summer."