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Glite Dictionary
polychete worm

polychete worm

9.9
A worm that lives in the sea with many small bristles on its sides that help it move
  • noun
  • /ˈpɒlɪˌkiːt wɜrm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : gusano poliqueto
  • The sandy seabed was teeming with polychete worms, each leaving tiny trails behind.

Examples

  • Many species of polychete worm play a vital role in marine ecosystems by recycling organic material.

  • Many polychete worms inhabit the ocean floor.

  • During the biology class, students observed a live polychete worm under the microscope.

  • The polychete worm is fascinating to study.

  • During the biology class, students observed a live polychete worm under the microscope.

  • Many species of polychete worm play a vital role in marine ecosystems by recycling organic material.

  • The sandy seabed was teeming with polychete worms, each leaving tiny trails behind.

Synonyms

worm
vspolychete worm
299 1.0

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

is a specific marine segmented annelid with paired bristles and sexes
annelid
vspolychete worm
  • Specialized
1 9.6

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

is a narrower group within that phylum marked by bristled appendages
polychete
vspolychete worm
  • Specialized
9.9

A sea worm with many bristles and paired side appendages

is the scientific class member noted for bristles and typically both sexes
polychaete
vspolychete worm
  • Specialized
9.9

A marine worm with many body segments and bristles on each segment

is used chiefly in scientific contexts to indicate this same class member
polychaete worm
vspolychete worm
  • Specialized
9.9

A sea worm with many body segments and small bristles on each segment

is the class term that also stresses having both male and female organs
annelid worm
vspolychete worm
  • Specialized
7.7

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

is the more specific marine class with paired bristles and mixed sexes

Surface Forms

polychete worm singular
polychete worms plural

Morphology

polychete + worm

Given the provided constituent definitions, 'polychete worm' is a straightforward nominal combination: a worm that is a polychete (a marine, bristle-bearing annelid). The meaning is fully compositional and taxonomic rather than idiomatic, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents should readily understand it.

Etymology

Polychete worm comes from the parts poly meaning 'many' and chete meaning 'hair'. These sea worms have many stiff hairs called bristles along their sides, so the name points to how they look and helps you remember them.