ostracum

English

Etymology

From New Latin ostracum, from Ancient Greek ὄστρακον (óstrakon, “pottery fragment; shell”).

Noun

ostracum (plural ostraca)

1. (archaeology) A fragment of pottery.
2. (malacology) The middle layer of a molluscan shell.

Derived terms

• periostracum
• pro-ostracum

Related terms

• ostracize