turbellarian

[ tur-buh-lair-ee-uhn ]

adjective

1. belonging to the Turbellaria, a class of platyhelminths or flatworms, mostly aquatic and having cilia on the body surface.

noun

1. a turbellarian platyhelminth.

turbellarian

/ ˌtɜːbɪˈlɛərɪən /

noun

1. any typically aquatic free-living flatworm of the class Turbellaria , having a ciliated epidermis and a simple life cycle: includes the planarians

adjective

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of turbellarian¹

1875–80; < New Latin Turbellari ( a ) ( Latin turbell ( ae ) a stir, row (plural diminutive of turba turmoil) + -āria, neuter plural of -ārius -ary ) + -an

Word History and Origins

Origin of turbellarian¹

C19: from New Latin Turbellāria , from Latin turbellae (pl) bustle, from turba brawl, referring to the swirling motion created in the water

Example Sentences

According to Spengel it resembles at this time in its form and habits a rhabdocœlous Turbellarian.

From Project Gutenberg

Between the turbellarian and the annelid many aberrant lines diverged.

From Project Gutenberg

Now the turbellarian is small and sluggish, with a fair digestive system.

From Project Gutenberg

The third stage in our ancestral series is the turbellarian.

From Project Gutenberg