chela

noun

che·​la ˈkē-lə How to pronounce chela (audio)
plural chelae ˈkē-(ˌ)lē How to pronounce chela (audio)
: a pincerlike organ or claw borne by a limb of a crustacean or arachnid

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek chēlē claw

First Known Use

1635, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chela was in 1635

Dictionary Entries Near chela

chel-

chela

Chelamela

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Cite this Entry

“Chela.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chela. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

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More from Merriam-Webster on chela

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chela

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