nematomorph

American

[nem-uh-tuh-mawrf, nuh-mat-uh-] / ˈnɛm ə təˌmɔrf, nəˈmæt ə- /

noun

Zoology.

any member of the phylum Nematomorpha, having a threadlike body, comprising the horsehair worms.

Etymology

Origin of nematomorph

< New Latin Nematomorpha; nemato-, -morph

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.

In Japan, nematomorph worms goad their cricket hosts into jumping into streams, providing up to 60 percent of total calories for endangered Japanese char.

From New York Times

Not only does the nematomorph worm help feed an endangered species, but by relieving pressure on other invertebrate species the fish eat, it also changes the stream’s overall ecology.

From Scientific American

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023