nemertean

noun

ne·​mer·​te·​an ni-ˈmər-tē-ən How to pronounce nemertean (audio)
: any of a phylum (Nemertea synonym Rhynchocoela) of often vividly colored usually long dorsoventrally flattened marine worms that typically burrow in the mud or sand along seacoasts

called also ribbon worm

nemertine adjective or noun

Word History

Etymology

ultimately from Greek Nēmertēs Nemertes, one of the Nereids

First Known Use

1861, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nemertean was in 1861

Dictionary Entries Near nemertean

Cite this Entry

“Nemertean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nemertean. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on nemertean

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!