acanthocephala Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun phylum or class of elongated wormlike parasites that live in the intestines of vertebrates: spiny-headed worms
    phylum Acanthocephala.

WordNet

A*can`tho*ceph"a*la noun plural
Etymology
NL., from Gr. a spine, thorn + head.
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) A group of intestinal worms, having the proboscis armed with recurved spines.

Webster 1913