-branchiatecomb. form

Primary stress is attracted to the first syllable of this combining form and vowels may be reduced accordingly.
Origin: Probably of multiple origins. Probably a borrowing from Latin. Probably a borrowing from Latin, combined with an English element. Etymons: Latin-branchiata; Latin -branchia , -ate suffix2.
Etymology: Probably < scientific Latin -branchiata (see note) < classical Latin branchia branchiae n. + -āta -ate suffix1; perhaps partly also < scientific Latin -branchia (see -branch comb. form) + -ate suffix2.Scientific Latin -branchiata is attested in a number of formations recorded in H. M. D. de Blainville Man. de malacologie et de conchyliologie (1825), e.g. Monopleurobranchiata monopleurobranchiate adj. and n., Nucleobranchiata nucleobranchiate adj. at nucleobranch n. and adj. Derivatives, Perennibranchiata perennibranchiate adj. and n., Polybranchiata polybranchiate adj. at poly- comb. form 1, Pulmobranchiata pulmobranchiate adj.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, November 2010; most recently modified version published online March 2022).