oligochaete

[ ol-i-goh-keet ]

/ ˈɒl ɪ goʊˌkit /

Save This Word!

noun

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

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of oligochaete

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

OTHER WORDS FROM oligochaete

ol·i·go·chae·tous, adjective

Words nearby oligochaete

oligarch, oligarchic, oligarchy, oligo-, Oligocene, oligochaete, oligoclase, oligodendrocyte, oligodontia, oligogene, oligomenorrhea

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

British Dictionary definitions for oligochaete

oligochaete

/ (ˈɒlɪɡəʊˌkiːt) /

noun

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

adjective

of, relating to, or belonging to the class Oligochaeta

Word Origin for oligochaete

C19: from New Latin; see oligo-, chaeta

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

Scientific definitions for oligochaete

oligochaete

oligochete

(ŏl′ĭ-gō-kēt′, ō′lĭ-)

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. Compare polychaete.