chelicera

noun

che·​lic·​era ki-ˈli-sə-rə 

plural chelicerae ki-ˈli-sə-ˌrē 

: one of the anterior pair of appendages of an arachnid often specialized as fangs

cheliceral

ki-ˈli-sə-rəl 

adjective

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from French chélicère, from Greek chēlē + keras horn — more at horn

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

chelicera

noun

che·​lic·​era ki-ˈlis-ə-rə 

plural cheliceras or chelicerae -ˌrē 

: either of two special front legs of a spider that often function as fangs

Medical Definition

chelicera

noun

che·​lic·​era ki-ˈlis-ə-rə 

plural chelicerae -ˌrē 

: one of the anterior pair of appendages of an arachnid often specialized as fangs

cheliceral

-ə-rəl 

adjective