oligochaete

ol·i·go·chaete or ol·i·go·chete  (l-g-kt, l-)

n.

Any of various annelid worms of the class Oligochaeta, including the earthworms and a few small freshwater forms.

---

[From New Latin Oligochaeta, class name : oligo- + chaeta.]

---

oli·go·chaetous (-kts) adj.

---

oligochaete or oligochete  (l-g-kt, l-)

Any of various annelid worms of the class Oligochaeta. Oligochaetes, unlike polychaetes, have relatively few bristles (called setae) along the body, and often have a thickened, ringlike region (called a clitellum) that secretes a substance used for enclosing eggs in a cocoon. Oligochaetes include the earthworms and a few small freshwater forms. Compare polychaete.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

oligochaete - hermaphroditic terrestrial and aquatic annelids having bristles borne singly along the length of the body oligochaete worm annelid, annelid worm, segmented worm - worms with cylindrical bodies segmented both internally and externally class Oligochaeta, Oligochaeta - earthworms dew worm, earthworm, fishing worm, fishworm, nightcrawler, nightwalker, red worm, angleworm, crawler, wiggler - terrestrial worm that burrows into and helps aerate soil; often surfaces when the ground is cool or wet; used as bait by anglers