Definition & Meaning of "barnacle"

What is a "barnacle"?

A barnacle is a small marine crustacean that is characterized by its hard, cone-shaped shell. They are known for their ability to attach themselves to a variety of surfaces, including rocks, piers, ship hulls, and even the bodies of larger marine animals. Barnacles are filter feeders, using their feathery appendages called cirri to capture plankton and other small particles from the water. They have a unique reproductive process where they release their larvae into the water, which then settle and develop into adult barnacles. These fascinating organisms play an important ecological role by providing attachment surfaces for other marine organisms and serving as a food source for some species.