velvet worm

noun

: any of a phylum (Onychophora) of terrestrial, wormlike invertebrates that are found in damp, dark habitats of the southern hemisphere and have dry, velvety skin and numerous pairs of short, thick legs

Note: Velvet worms are noted for having morphological characteristics that resemble those of both arthropods and annelids.

Peripatus resemble downy caterpillars—hence their other name, the velvet worm—and live solely in moist places like rotten logs and leaf litter.

—Matthew Cawood, Australian Geographic, April/June 1997

Members of the phylum Onychophora or velvet worms have incited debate for years regarding their position in the animal kingdom.

—George Poinar, Jr., Science, 6 Sept. 1996

Word History

First Known Use

1987, in the meaning defined above

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