annelid

noun

an·​ne·​lid ˈa-nə-ˌlid How to pronounce annelid (audio)
: any of a phylum (Annelida) of usually elongated segmented coelomate invertebrates (such as earthworms and leeches)
annelid adjective
annelidan adjective or noun

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Found in China's Yangtze Gorge, along with 34 other fossils of the same species, researchers believe Y. spiciformis is related to a group of anthropods that includes crustaceans and millipedes or annelids. Fox News, 6 Sep. 2019 That is in contradistinction to Cambrian fossils, among which are found representatives of all the main animal groups (annelids, arthropods, brachiopods, chordates, cnidarians, echinoderms, molluscs and so on) that are around today. The Economist, 7 June 2018 The first saw the emergence of brachiopods and molluscs, the second that of annelids, cnidarians, echinoderms and chordates (a group that includes the vertebrates). The Economist, 7 June 2018 The new species, Trilobodrilus ellenscrippsae, is a half-millimeter-long annelid, or segmented worm, in the family Dinophilidae. Deborah Sullivan Brennan, sandiegouniontribune.com, 6 Apr. 2018 Fish diets in the winter are made up primarily of midges and an assortment of small blue-winged olive nymphs and are occasionally supplemented by larger mayflies, annelids, trout eggs, stoneflies, and even caddis larva. Colorado Parks & Wildlife, The Denver Post, 12 Mar. 2017 These squiggly black annelids, just centimeters long, are one of only two types of animals that live inside glaciers. Joel Sartore, National Geographic, 21 Jan. 2017 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'annelid.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

ultimately from Latin anellus little ring — more at annulet

First Known Use

1813, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of annelid was in 1813

Dictionary Entries Near annelid

Cite this Entry

“Annelid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/annelid. Accessed 20 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

annelid

noun
an·​ne·​lid ˈan-ᵊl-əd How to pronounce annelid (audio)
ˈan-ə-lid
: any of a phylum of long invertebrate animals that have segments and a body cavity and include the earthworms, leeches, and related forms
annelid adjective

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