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Glite Dictionary
🔗 A ring compound 🧲 To bind metals 🧬 Ring-forming 🦞 Pincer-shaped
chelate

chelate

9.9
Having a claw with two parts that close together
  • adjective
  • /ˈkiːleɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : quelífero
  • Scorpions are well known for their large, chelate claws.

Examples

  • The crab's chelate legs help it grasp and manipulate objects with precision.

  • Some insects have chelate appendages that resemble tiny pincers.

  • The crab has a chelate claw that helps it grasp prey.

  • Look at the chelate appendage of that lobster!

  • The mantis shrimp has distinctive chelate claws that allow it to catch its prey effortlessly.

  • Hermit crabs possess chelate limbs which aid them in defending their territory.

  • Many species of spiders have chelate pedipalps that help them grip their food.

Synonyms

cheliferous
vschelate
  • Specialized
9.9

Having pincer-like claws used for holding or grabbing

describes a pincer shaped appendage itself rather than the whole animal

Compounds

chelate compound
  • Specialized
7.5

A compound where a metal atom is held inside a ring of other atoms

How Pincer-Like

pincer
4 6.7
chelate
  • Specialized
9.9
claw
24 2.9

Surface Forms

chelate positive

Morphology

chelate = chela (transparent) = chela + ate

Direct adjectival formation from 'chela' meaning 'having or resembling a pincer', so a learner who knows 'chela' would readily derive this sense.

Etymology

Chelate for an appendage comes from the Greek chele meaning 'claw' and simply means 'claw-like' or 'pincer-like', with two parts that can close together. So a chelate appendage is one shaped like a claw that can grasp things.