chelicera
Americannoun
-
chelicerae
plural
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of chelicera
1825–35; < New Latin, equivalent to cheli- cheli- + Greek kér ( as ) horn + Latin -a feminine noun ending
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Despite the abundance of Cambrian fossils, no clear example of a chelicera from that period had been identified before.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 3, 2026
It represents a transitional form, linking earlier Cambrian arthropods that seem to lack chelicera with later horseshoe crab-like species known as synziphosurines.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 3, 2026
"Claws are never in that location in a Cambrian arthropod," said Lerosey-Aubril, "It took me a few minutes to realize the obvious, I had just exposed the oldest chelicera ever found."
From Science Daily ● Apr. 3, 2026
The most striking feature is the chelicera, a pincer-like appendage that defines chelicerates.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 3, 2026
Falx, falks, n. a sickle-shaped part or process, as of the dura mater of the skull: a chelicera: a poison-fang of a snake: a rotula of a sea-urchin:—pl.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various
Depending on the species, chelicerae can function as pincers or fangs that grip, pierce, or stab prey.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 4, 2026
Their defining feature is a pair of specialized appendages called chelicerae, located near the front of the body.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 4, 2026
Most chelicerates ingest food using a preoral cavity formed by the chelicerae and pedipalps.
From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015
In some species, like sea spiders, an additional pair of appendages, called ovigers, is present between the chelicerae and pedipalps.
From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015
The chelicerae writhed, questing for prey, and the sphincter-maw spasmed, teeth clicking open and shut, searching for something to bite into.
From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor
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