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.

Read more on 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."

Read more on Salon

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

Read more on 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.

Read more on BBC

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

Read more on New York Times