BDELLIUM Bdel"lium, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. ; cf. Heb. b'dolakh bdellium (in sense 1).]
1. An unidentified substance mentioned in the Bible (Gen. ii. 12, and Num. xi. 7), variously taken to be a gum, a precious stone, or pearls, or perhaps a kind of amber found in Arabia.
2. A gum resin of reddish brown color, brought from India, Persia, and Africa.
Note: Indian bdellium or false myrrh is an exudation from
Balsamodendron Roxb. Other kinds are known as African, Sicilian, etc.
BDELLOIDEA
Bdel*loi"de*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. leech + -oid.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The order of Annulata which includes the leeches. See
Hirudinea.
BDELLOMETER
Bdel*lom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Gr. leech + -meter.] (Med.)
Defn: A cupping glass to which are attached a scarificator and an exhausting syringe. Dunglison.
BDELLOMORPHA
Bdel`lo*mor"pha,n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. leech + form.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: An order of Nemertina, including the large leechlike worms
(Malacobdella) often parasitic in clams.