Acanthocephalic
/əˌkænθoʊsəˈfælɪk/noun
Relating to or resembling the thorny-headed parasitic worms of the phylum Acanthocephala.
Did you know?Acanthocephala were named for the hook-covered proboscis they use to anchor themselves inside hosts, making the word feel almost like a biological spell for a body-thorn.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἄκανθα (akantha)
“thorn, spine, or prickle”
Ancient Greek
Greek
κεφαλή (kephalē)
“head”
Modern Scientific Latin
Latin
Acanthocephala
“thorn-headed worms”
19th Century
English
acanthocephalous
“having a thorny head; of or relating to acanthocephalans”
Modern English
English
acanthocephalic
“relating to thorn-headed parasitic worms”
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