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polychaete
[ pol-i-keet ]
noun
- any annelid of the class Polychaeta, having unsegmented swimming appendages with many setae or bristles.
adjective
- Also poly·chaetous. belonging or pertaining to the Polychaeta.
polychaete
/ ˈpɒlɪˌkiːt /
noun
- any marine annelid worm of the class Polychaeta, having a distinct head and paired fleshy appendages (parapodia) that bear bristles (chaetae or setae) and are used in swimming: includes the lugworms, ragworms, and sea mice
adjective
- of, relating to, or belonging to the class Polychaeta
polychaete
/ pŏl′ĭ-kēt′ /
- Any of various often brightly colored annelid worms of the class Polychaeta. Each segment of a polychaete has a pair of fleshy appendages that are tipped with bristles (setae), used for swimming or burrowing. Most species of polychaetes live in saltwater, feed on tiny aquatic animals and plants, and range in size from a few millimeters to 3 m (10 ft) in length.
- Compare oligochaete
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Word History and Origins
Origin of polychaete1
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Word History and Origins
Origin of polychaete1
C19: from New Latin, from Greek polukhaitēs: having much hair; see chaeta
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Example Sentences
In about the three-fourths of the nests, a single icefish stood guard to protect the eggs from potential predators like starfish, polychaete worms, and sea spiders.
From Popular-Science
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