annelid worm

7.7

A long soft animal with a body made of many rings, like earthworms and leeches

noun
/ˈænəˌlɪd wɜrm/

Specialized

: gusano anélido

The annelid worm is known for its segmented body structure.

Examples

The annelid worm plays a vital role in decomposing organic matter in the soil.
A leech is an example of a parasitic annelid worm found in freshwater habitats.
Some species of annelid worm can regenerate body parts if they are damaged.
An annelid worm can be found in many freshwater habitats.
The annelid worm plays a vital role in decomposing organic matter in the soil.
Some species of annelid worm can regenerate body parts if they are damaged.
A leech is an example of a parasitic annelid worm found in freshwater habitats.

Synonyms

worm

vsannelid worm

299 1.0

A small soft animal without legs that lives in soil or water

is narrower, specifying segmented body form and membership of a single scientific phylum

annelid

vsannelid worm

Specialized

1 9.6

A worm with a long body divided into segments, like an earthworm

is the same meaning but presents the idea as a phrase including the common animal noun

segmented worm

vsannelid worm

5.1

A worm with a long body made of many ring-shaped parts like an earthworm or leech

is stated as a taxonomic member of a specific phylum rather than focusing on anatomy

Surface Forms

annelid worm singular

annelid worms plural

Morphology

annelid + worm

The phrase is fully compositional: 'annelid' (a segmented worm) simply specifies the type of 'worm', so the combined meaning 'a segmented, cylindrical worm' is directly derivable from the constituents. This modifier+noun scientific naming pattern is regular and cross-linguistically common, so a learner who knows both words will understand the MWE.

Etymology

Annelid worm comes from an old Latin word meaning 'little ring'. The part annelid points to the ring-like segments and worm says it is a worm, so the name describes a worm with a body made of many segments.