nemertean

[ ni-mur-tee-uhn ]

noun
  1. any member of the invertebrate phylum Nemertea, comprising the ribbon worms.

Origin of nemertean

1
1860–65; <New Latin Nemerte(a), derivative of Nemertes a genus (<Greek Nēmertḗs name of a Nereid; see -a2) + -an

Other words from nemertean

  • ne·mer·tine [ni-mur-teen], /nɪˈmɜr tin/, adjective

Words Nearby nemertean

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use nemertean in a sentence

  • One of the largest nemertean worms; found on sandy and muddy shores near low-water mark.

    The Sea-beach at Ebb-tide | Augusta Foote Arnold
  • The principal characteristic of the nemertean worms is a long thread-like organ, known as the proboscis.

    The Sea-beach at Ebb-tide | Augusta Foote Arnold

British Dictionary definitions for nemertean

nemertean

nemertine (ˈnɛməˌtaɪn)

/ (nɪˈmɜːtɪən) /


noun
  1. Also called: ribbon worm any soft flattened ribbon-like marine worm of the phylum (or class) Nemertea (or Nemertina), having an eversible threadlike proboscis

adjective
  1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Nemertea

Origin of nemertean

1
C19: via New Latin from Greek Nēmertēs a Nereid 1

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