Annelid
/ˈæn.ə.lɪd/noun
An invertebrate animal belonging to the phylum Annelida, characterized by a segmented, ring-like body.
Did you know?The name was created from Latin annulus, “little ring,” reflecting the visible segmentation that links earthworms, leeches, and marine bristle worms.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Latin
Latin
ānulus
“A little ring; a diminutive of ānus, “ring.””
18th Century
Neo-Latin
Annelida
“A scientific group name based on the ringed or segmented form of these animals.”
1802
French
Annélides
“Lamarck’s zoological designation for segmented, ring-bodied worms.”
19th Century
Scientific English
annelid
“A member of the annelid group, including earthworms, leeches, and marine worms.”
Modern English
English
annelid
“A segmented wormlike invertebrate of the phylum Annelida.”