acantocéfalo, la.
(Del gr. ??to?(a, Thorn, and -cephalus).
1. adj. Zool. It is said of the nematelmintos which lack the digestive system and have a horn armed hook, with which the animal, which is parasitic, is fixed to the walls of the intestine of their host in the anterior end of its body. U m. c. s.
2. m. pl. Zool. Order of these nematelmintos.
ORTOGR. ESCR. with may. initial.
