Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Platyhelminthes

Platyhelminthes

9.9
A group of simple soft flat animals without legs often called flatworms
  • noun
  • /ˌplætɪˈhɛlmɪnθiz/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Platyhelminthes
  • The study of Platyhelminthes helps scientists understand the evolution of simpler life forms.

Examples

  • Flatworms, classified as Platyhelminthes, exhibit unique biological features that interest researchers.

  • Commonly (and perhaps confusingly) known as Limulus leeches, they are members of Platyhelminthes, a phylum laden with parasites and commensals; the exact relationship

    Academic text (2002)

  • In aquatic environments, many species of Platyhelminthes play important roles in the ecosystem.

Synonyms

phylum Platyhelminthes
vsPlatyhelminthes
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of soft flat animals like tapeworms and planarians that lack bones and hearts

is a simpler general name for the same animal group without extra labels

Compounds

phylum Platyhelminthes
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of soft flat animals like tapeworms and planarians that lack bones and hearts

Surface Forms

Platyhelminthes singular
Platyhelminthes plural

Morphology

Platyhelminthes = helminth (opaque) = platy + helminth + es

The name is a scientific compound of Greek combining forms; its components are specialist terms not known to an average B1 learner, so the meaning 'flatworm' is not easily derived.

Etymology

Platyhelminthes comes from Greek words platy- meaning 'flat' and -helminthes meaning 'worm', so it literally means 'flat worms' and that helps explain why these animals are soft and very flat.