chitinous
Like beetle armor
Chitinous describes something made of or resembling chitin—the tough, flexible material forming the exoskeletons of insects, crustaceans, and arachnids.
The word evokes hardness and segmentation: the chitinous shell of a beetle, chitinous armor plating.
In figurative use, chitinous suggests something insect-like or unnaturally hard: His chitinous demeanor repelled any warmth.
Jointed-limb invertebrate phylum
- carapaceProtective dorsal exoskeleton
- moltingPeriodic shedding of covering
- instarArthropod developmental stage
- procuticleInner exoskeletal layer
trilobite · segmentation · nymph · pupa · larva · metamorphosis · skeletal · armor
Pincer-bearing shellfish
- lobsterLarge marine shellfish
- shrimpSmall edible crustacean
- prawnEdible marine decapod
- krillSmall marine crustaceans
barnacle · copepod · amphipod · isopod · crayfish · carapace · shellfish · claws
Hard-winged insect
- antennaeSensory appendages on insects
- mandibleLower facial bone
- thoraxCentral body cavity
- abdomenTorso's lower cavity
elytra · entomology · wings · legs · cockroach · grasshopper · cricket · cicada
Naturally produced macromolecule
- polysaccharideChained sugar molecule
- cellulosePlant wall polysaccharide
- keratinStructural hair protein
- glycoproteinProtein bonded to carbohydrates
biodegradable · biomaterial · fibrous · structural · composite · fungi · cell-wall · nacre
arthropod
Jointed-limb invertebrate phylum
- carapaceProtective dorsal exoskeleton
- moltingPeriodic shedding of covering
- instarArthropod developmental stage
procuticle · trilobite · segmentation · nymph · pupa · larva · metamorphosis · skeletal · armor · hardened
crab
Pincer-bearing shellfish
krill · barnacle · copepod · amphipod · isopod · crayfish · carapace · shellfish · claws · pincers
beetle
Hard-winged insect
abdomen · elytra · entomology · wings · legs · cockroach · grasshopper · cricket · cicada · dragonfly
biopolymer
Naturally produced macromolecule
- polysaccharideChained sugar molecule
- cellulosePlant wall polysaccharide
- keratinStructural hair protein
glycoprotein · biodegradable · biomaterial · fibrous · structural · composite · fungi · cell-wall · nacre · flexible
chitinousbony
Thin, with protruding skeleton
osseous · fleshy · cartilaginous · calcareous · keratinous