caducous
AdjectiveSynonyms:
shed
WordNet 3.0
Adjective (1)
- shed at an early stage of development“most amphibians have caducous gills”“the caducous calyx of a poppy”Synonyms: shed
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
Caducous \Ca*du"cous\, [L. caducus falling, inclined to fall, fr. cadere to fall. See Cadence.] (Bot. & Zool.) Dropping off or disappearing early, as the calyx of a poppy, or the gills of a tadpole. [1913 Webster]