Priapulid
/ˌpraɪˈæpjʊlɪd/noun
A member of a group of marine worms known for their retractable proboscis.
Did you know?The name comes from Priapus, the Greek god of fertility and oversized virility, with the zoological suffix -ulid/-id used to form the name of the worm group.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Gr
Priapos
“Priapus, a fertility god associated with exaggerated male generative power”
Late Latin
Lat
Priapus
“The Roman form of the fertility god’s name”
Modern Scientific Latin
Lat
Priapulus
“A genus name formed from Priapus with a diminutive ending, used for a group of worms”
19th Century
English
priapulid
“A zoological term for worms belonging to the Priapulus group”
Modern English
English
priapulid
“Any worm of the phylum Priapulida”