chela

¹ American  

[kee-luh] / ˈki lə /

noun

chelae plural

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

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chela ² American  

[chey-lah] / ˈtʃeɪ lɑ /

noun

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

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chela ¹ British  

/ kɪˈlɪfərəs, ˈkiːlə /

noun

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

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chela ² British  

/ ˈtʃeɪlə /

noun

1. Hinduism a disciple of a religious teacher

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Other Word Forms

• chelaship
  noun
• cheliferous
  adjective

Etymology

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

Example Sentences

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 • Jul. 4, 2022

But that is all a matter of taste and ideals—the faculty for the "practical life" of the West is possessed by the chela, if he saw fit to use it.

From A Series of Lessons in Raja Yoga by Atkinson, William Walker

The chela awaiting reincarnation is by no means one of the common objects of the astral plane, but still he may be met with occasionally, and therefore he forms one of our classes.

From The Astral Plane Its Scenery, Inhabitants and Phenomena by Leadbeater, C. W. (Charles Webster)

“To be long-suffering”—this was a virtue I should probably have a splendid opportunity of displaying under the circumstances,—“and meek”; what greater proof of meekness could p. 102I give than by becoming the chela of women? 

From Fashionable Philosophy and Other Sketches by Oliphant, Laurence

Bound up with this failure—the doubt of the Teacher—was her attack on her fellow chela, Mr. Judge.

From H. P. Blavatsky A Great Betrayal by Cleather, Alice Leighton