Main Entry:

coe·lom

Pronunciation:

\ˈsē-ləm\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural coeloms or coe·lo·ma·ta \si-ˈlō-mə-tə\

Etymology:

German, from Greek koilōma cavity, from koilos

Date:

1875

: the usually epithelium-lined space between the body wall and the digestive tract of metazoans above the lower worms

— coe·lo·mate \ˈsē-lə-ˌmāt\ adjective or noun

— coe·lo·mic \si-ˈlä-mik, -ˈlō-\ adjective