chelicera

[ kuh-lis-er-uh ]

noun

, plural che·lic·er·ae [k, uh, -, lis, -, uh, -ree].

1. one member of the first pair of usually pincerlike appendages of spiders and other arachnids.

chelicera

/ kɪˈlɪsərə /

noun

1. one of a pair of appendages on the head of spiders and other arachnids: often modified as food-catching claws

Derived Forms

• cheˈliceral, adjective

Other Words From

• che·licer·al adjective
• che·lic·er·ate [k, uh, -, lis, -, uh, -reyt, -er-it], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of chelicera¹

1825–35; < New Latin, equivalent to cheli- cheli- + Greek kér ( as ) horn + Latin -a feminine noun ending

Word History and Origins

Origin of chelicera¹

C19: from New Latin, from French chélicère, from chél- see chela ¹+ -cère from Greek keras horn