polychaete

pol·y·chete also pol·y·chaete  (pl-kt)

n.

Any of various annelid worms of the class Polychaeta, including mostly marine worms such as the lugworm, and characterized by fleshy paired appendages tipped with bristles on each body segment.

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[New Latin Polychaeta, class name, from Greek polukhaits, with much hair : polu-, poly- + khait, long hair.]

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poly·chete, poly·chetous adj.

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polychaete [ˈpɒlɪˌkiːt]

n

(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Animals) any marine annelid worm of the class Polychaeta, having a distinct head and paired fleshy appendages (parapodia) that bear bristles (chaetae or setae) and are used in swimming: includes the lugworms, ragworms, and sea mice

adj also polychaetous

(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Animals) of, relating to, or belonging to the class Polychaeta

[from New Latin, from Greek polukhaitēs: having much hair; see chaeta]

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polychaete or polychete  (pl-kt)

Any of various often brightly colored annelid worms of the class Polychaeta. Each segment of a polychaete has a pair of fleshy appendages that are tipped with bristles (setae), used for swimming or burrowing. Most species of polychaetes live in saltwater, feed on tiny aquatic animals and plants, and range in size from a few millimeters to 3 m (10 ft) in length. Compare oligochaete.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

polychaete - chiefly marine annelids possessing both sexes and having paired appendages (parapodia) bearing bristles polychaete worm, polychete, polychete worm annelid, annelid worm, segmented worm - worms with cylindrical bodies segmented both internally and externally class Polychaeta, Polychaeta - marine annelid worms lobworm, lugworm, lug - marine worms having a row of tufted gills along each side of the back; often used for fishing bait sea mouse - any of several large worms having a broad flattened body with a mat of coarse hairs covering the back bloodworm - a segmented marine worm with bright red body; often used for bait