nematocystn.
/ˈnɛmətəsɪst/, /ˈniːmətəsɪst/, /nᵻˈmatə(ʊ)sɪst/, U.S. /ˈnimədəˌsɪst/, /ˈnɛmədəˌsɪst/, /nəˈmædəˌsɪst/; see also nemato- comb. form. Zoology.
An organelle contained in specialized cells of the ectoderm of many cnidarians, consisting of a thick-walled capsule containing a coiled, thread-like tubule that is usually barbed and often contains a toxin, and that can be discharged as a defence or to capture prey. Also called lasso-cell, thread-cell.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > invertebrates > subkingdom Metazoa > grade Diploblastica > phylum Coelenterata > [noun] > member of > parts of > cell in which power of stinging resides
thread-cell1859
nematocyst1868
cnida1876
nemocyst1878
stinging-cell1885
cnidocyst1888
colloblast1900
1868 T. Hincks Hist. Brit. Hydroid Zoophytes I. p. iv Nematocysts or thread-cells.
1888 G. Rolleston & W. H. Jackson Forms Animal Life (ed. 2) 781 The tentacles especially are provided with nematocysts of two sizes.
1910 A. G. Mayer Medusæ of World III. 504 The flexible part of the tentacles are [sic] armed with nematocysts, the stinging power of which is so great that the name ‘Sea Wasp’ is commonly given to these medusæ.
1930 H. G. Newth Marshall & Hurst's Junior Course Pract. Zool. (ed. 11) ii. 25 The nematocysts or ‘thread cells’ are sharply defined oval capsules, filled with fluid and enclosing a long hollow spirally wound filament, formed by doubling in of the wall of the capsule at one pole.
1979 Sci. Amer. Aug. 110/2 The tentacles have the specialized stinging cells called nematocysts, which discharge an arrowlike barb and a toxin that stuns animal prey.
1992 Pract. Fishkeeping Mar. 66/1 The Cnidaria can vary from highly dangerous..stinging nematocysts in the tropical medusae called the Sea Wasp..to the innocuous stinging cells of British sea anemones.
2002 National Geographic Feb. 59/2 Microscopic poisonous harpoons, the stinging nematocysts of hidden Cassiopea jellyfish.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1868