onychophoran

[ on-i-kof-er-uhn ]

noun

1. any small, predatory, caterpillarlike animal of the phylum Onychophora, common in tropical forests, having stubby legs ending in pincers.

onychophoran

/ ˌɒnɪˈkɒfərən /

noun

1. any wormlike terrestrial invertebrate of the phylum Onychophora, having a segmented body, short unjointed limbs, and breathing by means of tracheae: intermediate in structure and evolutionary development between annelids and arthropods

Word History and Origins

Origin of onychophoran¹

1885–90; < New Latin Onychophor ( a ) phylum name (< Greek onycho-, combining form of ónyx; onyx ) + New Latin -phora, neuter plural of -phorus -phore + -an

Word History and Origins

Origin of onychophoran¹

from New Latin Onychophora, from Greek onukh- nail, claw + -phore