cheilostome

noun

chei·​lo·​stome ˈkī-lə-ˌstōm How to pronounce cheilostome (audio)
variants or less commonly chilostome
plural cheilostomes also chilostomes
: a bryozoan of the order Cheilostomata
Cheilostomes are a diverse group of predominantly sessile invertebrates that have been abundant on the sea floor for about 100 million years.—Jeremy B. C. Jackson and Alan H. Cheetham, Science, 4 May 1990

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin Cheilostoma, singular of Cheilostomata cheilostomata

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cheilostome was in 1896

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Dictionary Entries Near cheilostome

cheilostomatous

cheilostome

cheir-

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Cheilostome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cheilostome. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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