gastrotrich

[ gas-truh-trik ]

/ ˈgæs trə trɪk /

noun

any of the microscopic, multicellular animals of the class or phylum Gastrotricha, of fresh or salt waters, characterized by bands of cilia on the ventral surface of the bottle-shaped or ribbony body and by a protrusible feeding apparatus at the mouth.

Nearby words

gastrostenosis, gastrostolavage, gastrostomy, gastrotomy, gastrotonometry, gastrotrich, gastrotropic, gastrovascular, gastrula, gastrulate, gastrulation

Origin of gastrotrich

1935–40; < New Latin Gastrotricha, equivalent to gastro- gastro- + Greek -tricha neuter plural of -trichos -haired, adj. derivative of thríx hair

Related forms

gas·trot·ri·chan

[gas-tro-tri-kuh n] /gæsˈtrɒ trɪ kən/, adjective

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

British Dictionary definitions for gastrotrich

gastrotrich

/ (ˈɡæstrətrɪk) /

noun

any minute aquatic multicellular animal of the phylum Gastrotricha, having a wormlike body covered with cilia and bristles

Word Origin for gastrotrich

from New Latin gastrotricha, from gastro- + Greek -trichos -haired: see tricho-

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