clitellum

[ klahy-tel-uh m ]

/ klaɪˈtɛl əm /

noun, plural cli·tel·la [klahy-tel-uh] /klaɪˈtɛl ə/.

a ring or saddle-shaped region of glandular tissue in the body wall of certain annelids, as earthworms and some leeches, that after copulation secretes a cocoon in which the eggs and sperm are deposited for fertilization and development.

Nearby words

clistocarp, clistocarpous, clistothecium, clit, clite, clitellum, clithral, clithrophobia, clitic, cliticize, clitoral

Origin of clitellum

1830–40; < New Latin, neuter noun based on Latin clītellae packsaddle

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for clitellum

Clitellum not present as a definite organ, as in Oligochaeta.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 7|Various
Clitellum always present, extending over two (many limicolous forms) to forty-five segments (Alma).
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 7|Various
Clitellum generally only two or three segments and more anterior in position than in Terricolae.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 7|Various
Clitellum commonly extensive and more posterior in position than in other groups.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 7|Various

Clitellum, kli-tel′um, n. the saddle of an annelid, as the earthworm:—pl.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D)|Various

British Dictionary definitions for clitellum

clitellum

/ (klɪˈtɛləm) /

noun plural -la (-lə)

a thickened saddle-like region of epidermis in earthworms and leeches whose secretions bind copulating worms together and later form a cocoon around the eggs

Word Origin for clitellum

C19: from New Latin, from Latin clītellae (plural) packsaddle

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for clitellum

clitellum

"raised band around an earthworm," 1816, Modern Latin, from Latin clitellae "a pack-saddle," diminutive of *clitra "litter," from PIE *klei-tro-, from root *klei- (see lean (v.)). Related: Clitellar.