nemertean
/nɪˈmɜːrtiən/
noun
- A type of long, thin, mostly marine worm that has a long, sticky tongue-like structure to catch prey; also called a ribbon worm.
- Unlike earthworms, a nemertean has a complete digestive system with a mouth and an anus.
- The nemertean glided through the tide pool, searching for small crustaceans.
- Marine biologists discovered a new species of nemertean off the coast of Japan.
adjective
- Relating to or characteristic of the ribbon worms of the phylum Nemertea.
- Students in the marine biology lab studied nemertean nervous systems under microscopes.
- The nemertean anatomy includes a unique proboscis used for hunting.
- Nemertean species vary greatly in color, from bright red to pale pink.