nematocyst
|nem-a-to-cyst|
C1
/ˈnɛmətəˌsɪst/
stinging cell
Etymology
Etymology Information
'nematocyst' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'nēma,' meaning 'thread,' and 'kystis,' meaning 'bladder.'
Historical Evolution
'nēma' and 'kystis' combined in Greek to form 'nematocystis,' which eventually became the modern English word 'nematocyst.'
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'thread bladder,' referring to its structure, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a specialized cell in the tentacles of a jellyfish or other coelenterate, containing a barbed or venomous coiled thread that can be projected in self-defense or to capture prey.
The nematocyst is a crucial part of a jellyfish's defense mechanism.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/04/30 22:13