acanthocephalan
[ uh-kan-thuh-sef-uh-luh n ]
/ əˌkæn θəˈsɛf ə lən /
noun
any parasitic worm of the phylum or class Acanthocephala, having a proboscis covered with recurved hooks.
adjective
belonging or pertaining to the Acanthocephala.
Origin of acanthocephalan
1905–10; < New Latin
Acanthocephal(a), neuter plural of
acanthocephalus (see
acantho-,
-cephalous) +
-an
Words nearby acanthocephalan
acanthine,
acanthion,
acanthite,
acantho-,
acanthocephala,
acanthocephalan,
acanthocephaliasis,
acanthocheilonema,
acanthocyte,
acanthocytosis,
acanthodian
British Dictionary definitions for acanthocephalan
acanthocephalan
/ (əˌkænθəʊˈsɛfələn) /
noun
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
adjective
of, relating to, or belonging to the Acanthocephala
Scientific definitions for acanthocephalan
acanthocephalan
[ ə-kăn′thə-sĕf′ə-lən ]
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