any marine annelid worm of the class Polychaeta, having a distinct head and paired fleshy appendages (parapodia) that bear bristles (chaetae or setae) and are used in swimming: includes the lugworms, ragworms, and sea mice
adjective also: polychaetous, polychetous
2.
of, relating to, or belonging to the class Polychaeta
Word origin
C19: from New Latin, from Greek polukhaitēs: having much hair; see chaeta
polychaete in American English
(ˈpɑlɪˌkit)
noun
any of a class (Polychaeta) of mostly marine, annelid worms, having on most segments a pair of fleshy, leglike appendages bearing numerous bristles
Derived forms
polychaetous (ˌpolyˈchaetous)
adjective
Word origin
< ModL Polychaeta < Gr polychaitēs, with much hair < poly-, poly- + chaitē, hair