acanthocephala
|a-can-tho-ceph-a-la|
C2
🇺🇸
/əˌkænθoʊˈsɛfələ/
🇬🇧
/əˌkænθəʊˈsɛfələ/
thorny-headed worms
Etymology
Etymology Information
'acanthocephala' originates from Greek, specifically the words 'akantha' meaning 'thorn' and 'kephalē' meaning 'head'.
Historical Evolution
'Acanthocephala' was directly borrowed from the Greek term 'akanthocephalos', which described the thorny-headed nature of these worms.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it referred to the thorny-headed nature of these worms, and this meaning has remained consistent in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a phylum of parasitic worms known as thorny-headed worms, characterized by an eversible proboscis armed with spines.
Acanthocephala are known to infect the intestines of vertebrates.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/04/10 20:51