C19: from New Latin monīliformis, from Latin monīle necklace + forma shape
moniliform in American English
(moʊˈnɪləˌfɔrm; məˈnɪləˌfɔrm)
adjective
shaped somewhat like a string of beads; specif., consisting of, or having, a series of alternate swellings and constrictions, as some plants stems and some insect antennae
Word origin
< L monile (gen. monilis), necklace < IE base *mono-, neck (> mane) + -form