Acanthocephala

 
Pronunciation: /əˌkanθə(ʊ)ˈsɛfələ, -ˈkɛf-/

plural noun

Zoology
  • a small phylum of parasitic invertebrates that comprises the thorny-headed worms.

Derivatives

acanthocephalan

adjective & noun

acanthocephalid

adjective & noun

Origin:

modern Latin (plural), from acantho- 'thornlike' + Greek kephalē 'head'