chela

noun

che·la ˈkē-lə

plural chelae ˈkē-(ˌ)lē

: a pincerlike organ or claw borne by a limb of a crustacean or arachnid

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek chēlē claw

First Known Use

1635, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of chela was in 1635

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Browse Nearby Words

chel-

chela

Chelamela

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Chela.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chela. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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