a·can·tho·ceph·a·lan ( -k n th-s f -ln) also a·can·tho·ceph·a·lid (-l d)n. See spiny-headed worm. [From New Latin Acanthocephala, phylum name : acantho- + Greek kephal  , head; see -cephalous.]a·can tho·cepha·lan adj. |
acanthocephalan [əˌkænθəʊˈsɛfələn]
n
(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Animals) any of the parasitic wormlike invertebrates of the phylum Acanthocephala, the adults of which have a spiny proboscis and live in the intestines of vertebrates
adj
(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Zoology) of, relating to, or belonging to the Acanthocephala
| acanthocephalan (-knth-sf-ln) Any of various, mostly small worms of the phylum Acanthocephala that live parasitically in arthropods as juveniles and in the intestines of vertebrates (especially fish) as adults. Acanthocephalans have a cylindrical, retractile proboscis that has rows of hooked spines and is used for attachment to a host. Also called spiny-headed worm. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  acanthocephalan - any of various worms living parasitically in intestines of vertebrates having a retractile proboscis covered with many hooked spinesworm - any of numerous relatively small elongated soft-bodied animals especially of the phyla Annelida and Chaetognatha and Nematoda and Nemertea and Platyhelminthes; also many insect larvae Acanthocephala, phylum Acanthocephala - phylum or class of elongated wormlike parasites that live in the intestines of vertebrates: spiny-headed worms |
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