nematocyst

[nem-uh-tuh-sist, ni-mat-uh-]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Zoology.

an organ in coelenterates consisting of a minute capsule containing an ejectable thread that causes a sting.

nematocyst

/ nɪˈmætə-, ˈnɛmətəˌsɪst /

noun

a structure in coelenterates, such as jellyfish, consisting of a capsule containing a hollow coiled thread that can be everted to sting or paralyse prey and enemies

nematocyst

One of the minute capsules in the tentacles of cnidarians, such as jellyfish, hydras, or sea anemones, used for stinging. The capsule is produced by a special cell (called a cnidoblast) and contains a tightly coiled barbed thread that quickly shoots forth if the capsule's lid is disturbed. The thread often contains poison.

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Other Word Forms

nematocystic adjective
ˌ�Ա𳾲��ٴ�ˈ��پ�� adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of nematocyst¹

First recorded in 1870–75; nemato- + -cyst

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Now a team led by Matt Gibson and Ahmet Karabulut of the Stowers Institute for Medical Research in Kansas City, Mo., has used cutting-edge imaging technology to study nematocyst firing in very fine detail.

From

The tentacles are carpeted with hundreds of thousands of specialized cells, each harboring a capsule called a nematocyst that can fire a microscopic harpoon at speeds of more than 60 kilometers per hour.

From

The lid on Polykrikos’s nematocyst overlays a complicated, three-ringed structure not found in cnidarians that the scientists termed a “nozzle”.

From

It contacts prey before the nematocyst and sits atop the nematocyst like the final stage of an Apollo rocket, connected to it by a newly discovered “linker” organelle.

From

It does not appear that the nematocyst of Nematodinium actually fires like a Gatling gun, rotating, with only one barrel active at a time.

From

nematocide nematode

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