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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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Acanthocephala
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

acanthocephalan

/ ə-kăn′thə-sĕfə-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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of acanthocephalan1

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

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acantho-acanthocyte