acanthocephalan
|a-can-tho-ce-pha-lan|
🇺🇸
/əˌkænθoʊˈsɛfələn/
🇬🇧
/əˌkænθəʊˈsɛfələn/
thorny-headed worm
Etymology
'acanthocephalan' originates from Greek, specifically the words 'akantha' meaning 'thorn' and 'kephalē' meaning 'head'.
'Acanthocephalan' was directly derived from the Greek words 'akantha' and 'kephalē', maintaining its form and meaning in modern English.
Initially, it meant 'thorny-headed', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
acanthocephalan refers to a group of parasitic worms known as thorny-headed worms, which are characterized by their spiny proboscis used for attachment to the host's intestinal wall.
The acanthocephalan parasite was found in the intestines of the fish.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/04/10 21:06