clitellum
[ klahy-tel-uh m ]
/ klaɪˈtɛl əm /
noun, plural cli·tel·la [klahy-tel-uh] /klaɪˈtɛl ə/.
a ring or saddle-shaped region of glandular tissue in the body wall of certain annelids, as earthworms and some leeches, that after copulation secretes a cocoon in which the eggs and sperm are deposited for fertilization and development.
Origin of clitellum
1830–40; < New Latin, neuter noun based on Latin
clītellae packsaddle
Words nearby clitellum
clistocarp,
clistocarpous,
clistothecium,
clit,
clite,
clitellum,
clithral,
clithrophobia,
clitic,
cliticize,
clitoridectomy
British Dictionary definitions for clitella
clitellum
/ (klɪˈtɛləm) /
noun plural -la (-lə)
a thickened saddle-like region of epidermis in earthworms and leeches whose secretions bind copulating worms together and later form a cocoon around the eggs
Word Origin for clitellum
C19: from New Latin, from Latin
clītellae (plural) packsaddle