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

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