chela

¹

[kee-luh]

noun

plural

chelae 

1. the pincerlike organ or claw terminating certain limbs of crustaceans and arachnids.

chela

²

[chey-lah]

noun

1. (in India) a disciple of a religious teacher.

chela

¹

/ kɪˈlɪfərəs, ˈkiːlə /

noun

1. a large pincer-like claw of such arthropods as the crab and scorpion

chela

²

/ ˈtʃeɪlə /

noun

1. Hinduism a disciple of a religious teacher

Other Word Forms

• chelaship noun
• cheliferous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of chela¹

1640–50; < New Latin < Greek chēlḗ claw

Origin of chela²

1825–35; < Hindi celā; compare Pali cellaka monk, Prakrit cilla boy, student

Word History and Origins

Origin of chela¹

C17: New Latin, from Greek khēlē claw

Origin of chela²

C19: from Hindi celā, from Sanskrit ceta servant, slave

Example Sentences

It also could be a shortening of the phrase mi chela helada, meaning my cold beer.

From Seattle Times

The drink's name represents maybe the world's best contraction, combining "chela," a slang term for beer; "ada" from "helada," meaning cold; and "mi" for mine — a.k.a "my cold beer."

From Salon

The most bandied about explanation is that it’s a shortening of mi chela helada or “my cold beer.”

From Los Angeles Times

Snapping shrimps are sometimes called pistol shrimps and use their larger claw - the major chela - as a deadly weapon to kill prey and opponents.

From BBC

The Dalai Lama added, "You Indians are our gurus, we are the chela," meaning "followers."

From New York Times