oligochaete

American  

[ol-i-goh-keet] / ˈɒl ɪ goʊˌkit /

noun

1. any of various annelids of the family Oligochaeta, including earthworms and certain small, freshwater species, having locomotory setae sunk directly in the body wall.

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oligochaete British  

/ ˈɒlɪɡəʊˌkiːt /

noun

1. any freshwater or terrestrial annelid worm of the class Oligochaeta, having bristles (chaetae) borne singly along the length of the body: includes the earthworms

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the class Oligochaeta

oligochaete Scientific  

/ ŏl′ĭ-gō-kēt′,ō′lĭ- /

1. Any of various annelid worms of the class Oligochaeta. Oligochaetes, unlike polychaetes, have relatively few bristles (called setae) along the body, and often have a thickened, ringlike region (called a clitellum) that secretes a substance used for enclosing eggs in a cocoon. Oligochaetes include the earthworms and a few small freshwater forms.

2. Compare polychaete

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Other Word Forms

• oligochaetous
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of oligochaete

1875–80; < New Latin Oligochaeta; see oligo-, chaeta

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