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polychete

polychete

9.9
A sea worm with many bristles and paired side appendages
  • noun
  • /ˈpɒlɪˌkiːt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : poliqueto
  • The distinctive bristles on a polychete help it to move along the ocean floor.

Examples

  • Marine biologists study polychetes to understand their role in aquatic ecosystems.

  • Many polychetes live in coral reefs.

  • Several species of polychete were discovered living near hydrothermal vents.

  • The polychete is a fascinating marine creature.

  • Marine biologists study polychetes to understand their role in aquatic ecosystems.

  • Several species of polychete were discovered living near hydrothermal vents.

  • The distinctive bristles on a polychete help it to move along the ocean floor.

Synonyms

annelid
vspolychete
  • Specialized
1 9.6

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

focuses specifically on the marine form with paired bristles and sexes
polychaete
vspolychete
  • Specialized
9.9

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

emphasizes that individuals commonly have both male and female organs
polychaete worm
vspolychete
  • Specialized
9.9

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

uses the same idea but notes usual presence of both sexes
polychete worm
vspolychete
  • Specialized
9.9

A worm that lives in the sea with many small bristles on its sides that help it move

adds that individuals typically possess both male and female organs
annelid worm
vspolychete
  • Specialized
7.7

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

is limited to the marine bristled form with paired appendages and sexes

Compounds

polychete worm
  • Specialized
9.9

A worm that lives in the sea with many small bristles on its sides that help it move

Surface Forms

polychete singular
polychetes plural

Morphology

polychete = poly + chaete

The word is historically built from Greek elements meaning 'many' and 'bristle', but the second element is not a standalone English word and the overall meaning is not directly recoverable for an average learner.

Etymology

Polychete comes from Greek parts poly- meaning 'many' (as in polyglot) and -chete meaning 'hair' or 'bristle'. So a polychete is a sea worm with many hair-like bristles that help it move.