polychaete

[ pol-i-keet ]

noun

1. any annelid of the class Polychaeta, having unsegmented swimming appendages with many setae or bristles.

adjective

1. Also poly·chaetous. belonging or pertaining to the Polychaeta.

polychaete

/ ˈpɒlɪˌkiːt /

noun

1. 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

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the class Polychaeta

polychaete

/ pŏl′ĭ-kēt′ /

1. 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.
2. Compare oligochaete

Word History and Origins

Origin of polychaete¹

1885–90; < New Latin Polychaeta < Greek polychaítēs having much hair. See poly-, chaeta

Word History and Origins

Origin of polychaete¹

C19: from New Latin, from Greek polukhaitēs: having much hair; see chaeta

Example Sentences

So what does this polychaete do with its walloping peepers after dark?

From Science Daily

"Even if you look at polychaetes, which is just one group of worms, it's a big task with hundreds and hundreds of species," Patrick says.

From BBC

An unprotected clutch would prove an easy snack for predators like starfish, polychaete worms and sea spiders, Dr. Cheng said.

From New York Times

Modern sand strikers are polychaete worms, belonging to the same group of animals as the sand worms that make little bubbles as the tide ebbs at the beach.

From National Geographic

They were something more like the polychaete worms that scuttle about the ocean today.

From Scientific American