n. Any of numerous worms of the phylum Nematoda, having unsegmented cylindrical bodies often narrowing at each end, and including free-living species that are abundant in soil and water, and species that are parasites of plants and animals, such as eelworms, pinworms, and hookworms. Also called roundworm. [From New Latin Nēmatōda, phylum name : NEMATO- + New Latin -ōda (alteration of -oīdea, from neuter pl. of Greek -oeidēs, -oid).] nema·tode′ adj. |
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