CHELICERA

chelicera

(noun) either of the first pair of fang-like appendages near the mouth of an arachnid; often modified for grasping and piercing

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

chelicera (plural chelicerae)

(zoology) Either of the prehensile claws found on the proboscis of chelicerates (horseshoe crabs, sea spiders and arachnids).

Source: Wiktionary


Che*lic"e*ra, n.; pl. Cheliceræ Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Definition: One of the anterior pair of mouth organs, terminated by a pincherlike claw, in scorpions and allied Arachnida. They are homologous with the falcers of spiders, and probably with the mandibles of insects.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

15 March 2025

TRUNCATION

(noun) the replacement of an edge or solid angle (as in cutting a gemstone) by a plane (especially by a plane that is equally inclined to the adjacent faces)


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Coffee Trivia

Raw coffee beans, soaked in water and spices, are chewed like candy in many parts of Africa.

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