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Glite Dictionary
chaetognath

chaetognath

9.9
A transparent sea worm with side and tail fins and bristle-like jaws to catch food
  • noun
  • /ˈkiːtəɡnæθ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : chaetognato
  • Unlike many other worms, a chaetognath has distinctive bristle-like jaws for catching prey.

Examples

  • The chaetognath is an important predator in many planktonic ecosystems.

  • Scientists collected several chaetognaths during the marine biology survey.

  • The chaetognath is a fascinating marine organism.

  • Many chaetognaths inhabit deep-sea environments.

  • Scientists collected several chaetognaths during the marine biology survey.

  • The chaetognath is an important predator in many planktonic ecosystems.

  • Unlike many other worms, a chaetognath has distinctive bristle-like jaws for catching prey.

Synonyms

arrowworm
vschaetognath
  • Specialized
9.9

A small transparent sea worm with fins and curved spines near its mouth

is the scientific term used by biologists for the same organism

Surface Forms

chaetognath singular
chaetognaths plural

Morphology

chaetognath = chaet + gnath

Built from Greek combining forms ('chaet-' 'gnath-') that are not recognizable standalone words to an average B1 learner, so the meaning is not derivable from familiar English bases.

Etymology

Chaetognath comes from Greek parts chaeto- meaning 'bristle' and -gnath meaning 'jaw', so it literally means 'bristle-jaw'. This fits the animal: a clear sea worm with curved, bristle-like jaws at the sides of its mouth that it uses to catch prey.