chela

¹ American  

[kee-luh] / ˈki lə /

noun

plural

chelae

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

Moreover, my chela, I think that may be we have overpassed that River.'

From Kim by Kipling, Rudyard

They are usually accompanied by a youthful disciple, called a "chela," a boy of from 10 to 15 years of age, who will become a fakir himself unless something occurs to change his career.

From Modern India by Curtis, William Eleroy

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)

Take heed, chela, lest he run away when he smells his Hills again. . . .

From Kim by Kipling, Rudyard