chelicerae

Variant of chelicera

chelicera definition

che·lic·era (kə lis′ər ə)

noun pl. chelicerae -·erae (-ər ē′)

either of the first pair of appendages of spiders and other arachnids, used for grasping and crushing

Etymology: ModL < Gr chēlē, claw (see chela) + keras, horn

Related Forms:

  • chelicerate che·lic′·er·ate′ (-ər āt′, -ər it) adjective

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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