chela

views updated May 11 2018

che·la1 / ˈkēlə/ • n. (pl. -lae / -lē; -lī/ ) Zool. a pincerlike claw, esp. of a crab or other crustacean. Compare with chelicera.che·la2 / ˈchālä/ • n. a follower and student of a guru.

chela

views updated May 29 2018

chela The terminal segment of an arthropod appendage when this can be opposed to the segment that precedes it. The chela is often enlarged and modified to act as a pincer, as in the lobster. Any appendage possessing a chela is described as chelate.

chela

views updated May 29 2018

chela a follower and pupil of a guru; the word comes from Hindi celā.

chela

views updated Jun 08 2018

chela (zool.) prehensile claw. XVII (chely). — modL., alt. of L. chēlē or its source Gr. khēlḗ.

chela

views updated Jun 27 2018

chela A prehensile claw or pincer (e.g. in Crustacea).

chela

views updated Jun 27 2018

chela Prehensile claw or pincer, e.g. in Crustacea.