|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries: |
Research categories | Follow us on Twitter |
Research categories
View all topics in the newsView all reference sources at Encyclopedia.com |
|||
leech
leech predacious or parasitic annelid worm of the class Hirudinea, characterized by a cylindrical or slightly flattened body with suckers at either end for attaching to prey. The leech, like other annelids, is segmented, but its numerous surface folds obscure the internal segments. In many forms the mouth has three small jaws equipped with sharp teeth. The digestive tract has lateral pouches that hold enough of the leech's staple food, blood, to last for months. The reproductive system is complex; leeches are hermaphroditic and cross-fertilizing. Nearly all leeches are aquatic, abounding in freshwater ponds in temperate regions, but they also are found in the tropics, in polar oceans, and in deserts. Some are permanent parasites of humans, horses, cattle, fish, and mollusks, but most are merely predatory. The salivary secretions of the leech contain hirudin, an anticoagulant, and other substances that promote blood flow. The medicinal leech ( Hirudo medicinalis ), a European freshwater leech once used by physicians to bleed patients suffering from almost any ailment, are now used to remove pooled blood from under skin grafts and other reconstructive surgeries, to treat bruises (such as black eyes), and to treat some osteoarthritis. Certain small leeches of the E Mediterranean region may enter the bodies of humans and animals through drinking water and lodge as parasites in the mouth or the respiratory passages. The giant Amazon leech can grow as large as the forearm of an adult human being. Leeches are classified in the phylum Annelida , class Hirudinea. |
|
|
Cite this article
"leech." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "leech." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-leech.html "leech." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-leech.html |
|
leech
leech1 / lēch/ • n. 1. an aquatic or terrestrial annelid (class Hirudinea) with suckers at both ends. Many species are bloodsucking parasites, esp. of vertebrates, and others are predators. 2. a person who extorts profit from or sponges on others. • v. [intr.] habitually exploit or rely on: he's leeching off the abilities of others. leech2 • n. archaic a doctor or healer. leech3 • n. Sailing the after or leeward edge of a fore-and-aft sail, the leeward edge of a spinnaker, or a vertical edge of a square sail. |
|
|
Cite this article
"leech." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "leech." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-leech.html "leech." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-leech.html |
|
leech
leech, the after side, or lee edge, of a sail in a fore-and-aft rig and the outer edges of a square sail in square-rigged vessels; in the latter they are known as port and starboard leeches according to which side of the ship they are nearest. The leech-rope is that part of the bolt-rope which borders the leech of a sail. For illus. see fore-and-aft rig; square rig.
|
|
|
Cite this article
"leech." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "leech." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O225-leech.html "leech." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O225-leech.html |
|
leech
leech (leech) n. a type of worm that possesses suckers at both ends of its body. Certain parasitic species suck blood from animals and humans, causing irritation and, occasionally, infection. Formerly widely used for bloodletting, the medicinal leech (Hirudo medicinalis) may now be used following microsurgery to restore patency to blocked or collapsed blood vessels.
|
|
|
Cite this article
"leech." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "leech." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-leech.html "leech." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-leech.html |
|
leech
leech2 an aquatic or terrestrial annelid worm with suckers at both ends. Many species are bloodsucking parasites, especially of vertebrates (leeches were traditionally used in medicine to draw off blood) and others are predators, giving rise to the transferred sense of a person who extorts profit from or sponges on others (see also horseleech).
|
|
|
Cite this article
ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "leech." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "leech." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-leech1.html ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "leech." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-leech1.html |
|
leech
leech Any of numerous species of freshwater, marine and terrestrial annelids found in tropical and temperate regions. Its tapered, ringed body is equipped with a sucking disc at each end. Many species live on the blood of animals. Length: 13–51mm (0.5–2in). Class Hirudinea.
|
|
|
Cite this article
"leech." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "leech." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-leech.html "leech." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-leech.html |
|
leech
leech1 a term (now archaic or humorous) for a doctor or healer. Recorded from Old English, the word was later often understood as a transferred use of leech2, sometimes with an indication of rapacity.
Leechcraft is similarly used for the art of healing. |
|
|
Cite this article
ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "leech." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "leech." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-leech.html ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "leech." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-leech.html |
|
leech
leech2 blood — sucking worm, OE. lǣće (Kentish lȳċe), MDu. lake, l(i)eke; orig. a distinct word from prec. but assim. to it.
|
|
|
Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "leech." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "leech." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-leech1.html T. F. HOAD. "leech." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-leech1.html |
|
leech
leech3 (naut.) vertical or sloping side of a sail. XIV lich(e)). Obscurely connected with ON. (naut.) lík (cf. Sw. lik, Da. lig bolt rope).
|
|
|
Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "leech." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "leech." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-leech2.html T. F. HOAD. "leech." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-leech2.html |
|
leech
leech1 (arch.) physician. OE. lǣċe = OS. lāki, OHG. lāhhi, Goth. lēkeis :- Gmc. *lǣkjaz.
|
|
|
Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "leech." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "leech." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-leech.html T. F. HOAD. "leech." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-leech.html |
|
leeches
leeches See HIRUDINEA.
|
|
|
Cite this article
MICHAEL ALLABY. "leeches." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "leeches." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-leeches.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "leeches." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-leeches.html |
|
leech
leech •beach, beech, beseech, bleach, breach, breech, each, impeach, leach, leech, outreach, peach, pleach, preach, reach, screech, speech, teach
•horseleech
|
|
|
Cite this article
"leech." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "leech." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-leech.html "leech." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-leech.html |
|
|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries:
HighBeam™ Research, Inc. © Copyright 2012. All rights reserved.
The Encyclopedia.com advertising network includes:
