any small, predatory, caterpillarlike animal of the phylum Onychophora, common in tropical forests, having stubby legs ending in pincers.
Origin of onychophoran
1885–90; < New LatinOnychophor(a) phylum name (< Greekonycho-, combining form of ónyx; see onyx) + New Latin-phora, neuter plural of -phorus-phore + -an
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 Origin for onychophoran
from New Latin Onychophora, from Greek onukh- nail, claw + -phore
