polychaete

American  

[pol-i-keet] / ˈpɒl ɪˌkit /

noun

1. any annelid of the class Polychaeta, having unsegmented swimming appendages with many setae or bristles.

---

adjective

1. Also polychaetous. belonging or pertaining to the Polychaeta.

polychaete British  

/ ˈpɒlɪˌkiːt /

noun

1. any marine annelid worm of the class Polychaeta, having a distinct head and paired fleshy appendages (parapodia) that bear bristles (chaetae or setae) and are used in swimming: includes the lugworms, ragworms, and sea mice

---

adjective

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

polychaete Scientific  

/ pŏl′ĭ-kēt′ /

1. Any of various often brightly colored annelid worms of the class Polychaeta. Each segment of a polychaete has a pair of fleshy appendages that are tipped with bristles (setae), used for swimming or burrowing. Most species of polychaetes live in saltwater, feed on tiny aquatic animals and plants, and range in size from a few millimeters to 3 m (10 ft) in length.

2. Compare oligochaete

---

Etymology

Origin of polychaete

1885–90; < New Latin Polychaeta < Greek polychaítēs having much hair. See poly-, chaeta

Example Sentences

So what does this polychaete do with its walloping peepers after dark?

From Science Daily

Today he's focussing on marine worms known as polychaetes, and there are lots living in the sediment.

From BBC

An unprotected clutch would prove an easy snack for predators like starfish, polychaete worms and sea spiders, Dr. Cheng said.

From New York Times

Modern sand strikers are polychaete worms, belonging to the same group of animals as the sand worms that make little bubbles as the tide ebbs at the beach.

From National Geographic

They were something more like the polychaete worms that scuttle about the ocean today.

From Scientific American