Acanthocephalan
/əˌkænθoʊˈsɛfələn/noun
Any parasitic worm of the phylum Acanthocephala, known for its spiny proboscis.
Did you know?Acanthocephala was coined from Greek roots for its hooked, thorny proboscis, a vivid example of how scientific names can preserve brutally literal body imagery.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ákantha
“thorn, spine, prickle”
Ancient Greek
Greek
kephalḗ
“head”
19th Century
New Latin
Acanthocephala
“a group of parasitic worms characterized by a spiny, hooked proboscis”
19th Century
English
acanthocephalan
“a member of the phylum Acanthocephala”
Modern English
English
acanthocephalan
“any parasitic worm of the phylum Acanthocephala”
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