planarian

[ pluh-nair-ee-uh n ]
/ pləˈnɛər i ən /

noun Zoology.

any of various free-swimming, mostly freshwater flatworms of the class Turbellaria, having an undulating or sluglike motion: popular in laboratory studies for the ability to regenerate lost parts.

Origin of planarian

1885–60; < New Latin Planari(a) a flatworm genus (noun use of feminine of Late Latin plānārius level, on level ground; taken to mean “flat”; see plane1, -ary + -an

Words nearby planarian

plan position indicator, plan view, plan-, planar, planar process, planarian, planate, planation, plancer, planch, planchet

Example sentences from the Web for planarian

British Dictionary definitions for planarian

planarian
/ (pləˈnɛərɪən) /

noun

any free-living turbellarian flatworm of the mostly aquatic suborder Tricladida, having a three-branched intestine

Word Origin for planarian

C19: from New Latin Plānāria type genus, from Late Latin plānārius level, flat; see plane 1

Scientific definitions for planarian

planarian
[ plə-nâr′ē-ən ]

Any of various small, chiefly freshwater flatworms of the class Turbellaria, having soft, broad, ciliated bodies shaped like a leaf. Planarians have a mouth on their lower side that is often closer to the tail than the head, and a three-branched digestive cavity. If a planarian is cut into several pieces, each piece can grow into a whole new organism.