Definition

A type of wormlike animal that is carnivorous and belongs to the phylum Onychophora. These creatures are found in tropical and temperate forests and share features with both arthropods and annelid worms.

Example

The onychophoran is known for its unique appearance and predatory behavior in the forest ecosystem.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of an onychophoran?

No, what is that?

It's this cool, wormlike creature that lives in forests, kind of like a mix between a worm and an insect.

That sounds interesting! I'd love to learn more about it.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Onychophoran is formed from "onycho-" (from Greek "onyx", meaning claw or nail) and "-phoran" (from Greek "phoros", meaning bearing or carrying). The word describes an organism that bears claws or is claw-like.

Memory Tip

Think of 'onyx' for claws and 'phoros' for bearing — this helps you remember that an onychophoran is a creature that carries claws.

Visually Confused Words