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Glite Dictionary
prehensor

prehensor

9.9
A front pair of legs in a centipede that hold prey and inject venom
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : prehensor
  • The centipede used its prehensors to immobilize the insect before eating it.

Examples

  • A centipede's venom is delivered through specialized structures called prehensors.

  • Centipedes use their prehensors to catch insects.

  • Zoologists studied the function of the prehensors in various centipede species.

  • The prehensor is fascinating.

  • The centipede used its prehensors to grip its prey tightly.

  • Zoologists examined how the prehensors help centipedes inject venom.

  • When hunting, centipedes rely on their sharp prehensors to immobilize their food.

Synonyms

toxicognath
vsprehensor
  • Specialized
9.9

A pair of front legs on a centipede that act like poison fangs

is the front legs specialized for grasping prey and injecting venom

Surface Forms

prehensor singular
prehensors plural

Morphology

prehensor = prehens + or

The combining form 'prehens-' is not a standalone English word and is unfamiliar to most learners, while the suffix '-or' only indicates an agent/thing; together they form a specialized zoological term that learners cannot reliably infer from components.

Etymology

Prehensor comes from the Latin root prehend- meaning 'to seize' or 'to grab', the same root you see in comprehend. In centipedes, the prehensors are the front legs that literally 'grasp' prey and help deliver venom, which is why they have that name.