chelicera

noun

che·​lic·​era ki-ˈli-sə-rə How to pronounce chelicera (audio)
plural chelicerae ki-ˈli-sə-ˌrē How to pronounce chelicera (audio)
: one of the anterior pair of appendages of an arachnid often specialized as fangs
cheliceral
ki-ˈli-sə-rəl How to pronounce chelicera (audio)
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

Time Traveler
The first known use of chelicera was in 1835

Rhymes for chelicera

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Browse Nearby Words

cheli-
chelicera
Chelicerata
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Cite this Entry

“Chelicera.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chelicera. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

chelicera

noun
che·​lic·​era ki-ˈlis-ə-rə How to pronounce chelicera (audio)
plural cheliceras or chelicerae -ˌrē How to pronounce chelicera (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce chelicera (audio)
plural chelicerae -ˌrē How to pronounce chelicera (audio)
: one of the anterior pair of appendages of an arachnid often specialized as fangs
cheliceral
-ə-rəl How to pronounce chelicera (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on chelicera

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chelicera

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