heteronereis

noun

het·​ero·​nereis
¦hetərō+
: a free-swimming dimorphic sexual individual of certain polychaete worms (family Nereidae) characterized by greatly enlarged eyes, enlarged and modified parapodia and other appendages, and more or less complete obliteration of the internal viscera by masses of developing germ cells

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from heter- + Nereis

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near heteronereis

Cite this Entry

“Heteronereis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heteronereis. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!