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acanthocephalan

noun
acan·​tho·​ceph·​a·​lan | \ ə-ˌkan(t)-thə-ˈse-fə-lən How to pronounce acanthocephalan (audio) \

Definition of acanthocephalan

: spiny-headed worm

Other Words from acanthocephalan

acanthocephalan adjective

First Known Use of acanthocephalan

circa 1889, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for acanthocephalan

New Latin Acanthocephala, taxon that includes the spiny-headed worms (from Greek ákantha "thorn, prickle, spine" + New Latin -o- -o- + -cephala, neuter plural of -cephalus "having a head of a given sort," borrowed from Greek -kephalos, derivative of kephalḗ "head") + -an entry 1 — more at acanthus, cephalic

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More Definitions for acanthocephalan

acanthocephalan

noun
acan·​tho·​ceph·​a·​lan | \ -lən How to pronounce acanthocephalan (audio) \

Medical Definition of acanthocephalan

: any of the phylum Acanthocephala of unsegmented parasitic worms

— called also spiny-headed worm

Other Words from acanthocephalan

acanthocephalan adjective

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