caecilian

[ see-sil-ee-uhn ]

noun

1. Also called blindworm. a legless, wormlike tropical amphibian of the order Gymnophiona (formerly Apoda), spending most of its life underground and usually almost blind.

adjective

1. pertaining to or characteristic of a caecilian.

caecilian

/ siːˈsɪlɪən /

noun

1. any tropical limbless cylindrical amphibian of the order Apoda (or Gymnophiona ), resembling earthworms and inhabiting moist soil

Word History and Origins

Origin of caecilian¹

1875–80; < Latin caecili ( a ) blindworm + -an

Word History and Origins

Origin of caecilian¹

C19: from Latin caecilia a kind of lizard, from caecus blind

Example Sentences

This is a group of animals that includes frogs, toads, salamanders and caecilians.

From Science News For Students

Pedro Mailho-Fontana, an evolutionary biologist with the Butantan Institute in São Paulo, has been studying caecilians for several years, and in particular, the glands in their skin.

From Science News

The decision was entirely in favour of Caecilian, and Donatus was found guilty of various ecclesiastical offences.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• frog
• salamander
• toad