nemertean
|ne-mer-te-an|
🇺🇸
/nəˈmɜrtiən/
🇬🇧
/nəˈmɜːtiən/
ribbon-worm (Nemertea)
Etymology
'nemertean' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'Nemertea', which comes from the Greek name 'Nemertes' (a sea-nymph) used as the taxonomic name.
'nemertean' changed from the New Latin taxonomic name 'Nemertea' (used for the phylum) and eventually entered English as the noun/adjective 'nemertean' in zoological usage.
Initially the name referenced the taxonomic group derived from the Greek name 'Nemertes'; over time it came to mean an individual member of the phylum Nemertea or anything relating to that phylum.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a ribbon worm of the phylum Nemertea; a marine, elongated worm often possessing a proboscis used for hunting.
Scientists discovered a new species of nemertean in the deep-sea trench.
Synonyms
Adjective 1
relating to or characteristic of nemerteans (the phylum Nemertea).
The nemertean fauna of the region includes several endemic species.
Last updated: 2025/09/27 03:47