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asc·hel·minth

(ăskhĕl-mĭnth′)

Any of various mostly microscopic wormlike invertebrates of the obsolete phylum Aschelminthes, including the nematodes, rotifers, and gastrotrichs.

[From New Latin Aschelminthēs, former phylum name : Greek askos, bag (in reference to the pseudocoel found in members of the group) + helmins, helminth-, worm; see wel-² in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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