chela

¹

[ kee-luh ]

noun

, plural che·lae [kee, -lee].

1. the pincerlike organ or claw terminating certain limbs of crustaceans and arachnids.

chela

²

[ chey-lah ]

noun

1. (in India) a disciple of a religious teacher.

chela

¹

/ ˈtʃeɪlə /

noun

1. Hinduism a disciple of a religious teacher

chela

²

/ kɪˈlɪfərəs; ˈkiːlə /

noun

1. a large pincer-like claw of such arthropods as the crab and scorpion

Derived Forms

• ˈchelaˌship, noun
• cheliferous, adjective

Other Words From

• chela·ship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of chela¹

1640–50; < New Latin < Greek chēlḗ claw

Origin of chela²

1825–35; < Hindi celā; compare Pali cellaka monk, Prakrit cilla boy, student

Word History and Origins

Origin of chela¹

C19: from Hindi celā, from Sanskrit ceta servant, slave

Origin of chela²

C17: New Latin, from Greek khēlē claw

Example Sentences

I have now no chela, but I will take the alms-bowl and thus enable the charitable to acquire merit.'

From Project Gutenberg

Lamas I know, and to these I give reverence, but thou art no more a lawful chela than this my finger is the pole of this waggon.

From Project Gutenberg

The lama would give him no help, but, as a conscientious chela, Kim was delighted to beg for two.

From Project Gutenberg

Rich would be the reward of such a master and such a chela when the time came for them to seek freedom together!

From Project Gutenberg

Let the chela study the troubles that come from over-eating—bloated stomach and burning bowels.

From Project Gutenberg