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
Example sentences from the Web for clitellum
British Dictionary definitions for clitellum
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