acanthocephalan

[ uh-kan-thuh-sef-uh-luhn ]

noun

1. any parasitic worm of the phylum or class Acanthocephala, having a proboscis covered with recurved hooks.

adjective

1. belonging or pertaining to the Acanthocephala.

acanthocephalan

/ əˌkænθəʊˈsɛfələn /

noun

1. any of the parasitic wormlike invertebrates of the phylum Acanthocephala, the adults of which have a spiny proboscis and live in the intestines of vertebrates

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Acanthocephala

acanthocephalan

/ ə-kăn′thə-sĕf′ə-lən /

1. Any of various, mostly small worms of the phylum Acanthocephala that live parasitically in arthropods as juveniles and in the intestines of vertebrates (especially fish) as adults. Acanthocephalans have a cylindrical, retractile proboscis that has rows of hooked spines and is used for attachment to a host.
2. Also called spiny-headed worm

Word History and Origins

Origin of acanthocephalan¹

1905–10; < New Latin Acanthocephal ( a ), neuter plural of acanthocephalus ( acantho-, -cephalous ) + -an