astomatous

9.9

A living thing that has no mouthlike opening

adjective
/ˌæstəˈmoʊtəs/

Specialized

: astomato

Some parasitic worms are astomatous and absorb nutrients through their skin.

Examples

The astomatous organism has adapted to life without a mouth.
The astomatous nature of certain larvae makes them unique among related species.
An astomatous organism does not require a mouth for its mode of feeding.
Some species of worms are astomatous and absorb nutrients through their skin.
Some parasitic worms are astomatous and absorb nutrients through their skin.
An astomatous organism does not require a mouth for its mode of feeding.
The astomatous nature of certain larvae makes them unique among related species.

Synonyms

mouthless

vsastomatous

1 8.4

Having no mouth and no opening to eat or breathe

is a technical biological adjective used mainly in zoology and biology

astomatal

vsastomatous

Specialized

9.9

Having no small openings in leaves or stems that let air move in and out

refers to absence of a mouthlike opening rather than plant gas pores

Antonyms

stomatous

Specialized

9.9

A mouthlike opening living things use for feeding

Surface Forms

astomatous positive

Morphology

astomatous = stomatous (semi-transparent) = a + stomat + ous

The prefix 'a-' indicates absence, and 'stomatous' relates to 'stoma', but the specific scientific usage might not be immediately clear to all learners.

Etymology

Astomatous comes from two Greek parts, a- meaning 'not' and stoma meaning 'mouth', and you can see stoma in medical words for an opening that acts like a mouth. So astomatous describes a living thing that has 'no mouth' or no mouthlike opening.