on·y·choph·o·ran  (ŏn'ĭ-kŏf'ər-ən)  n. Any of numerous wormlike carnivorous animals of the phylum Onychophora, common in tropical and temperate forest regions and having characteristics of both arthropods and annelid worms. Also called peripatus, velvet worm. [From New Latin Onychophora, phylum name : Greek onux, onukh-, nail, claw; see onyx + Greek -phora, neuter pl. of -phoros, -phore.] on'y·choph'o·ran adj. |
| pe·rip·a·tus (pə-rĭp'ə-təs) n. See onychophoran. [New Latin Peripatus, genus name, from Greek peripatos, walking about, from peripatein, to walk about; see peripatetic.] |
| peripatus | |
noun | |
| any of numerous velvety-skinned wormlike carnivorous animals common in tropical forests having characteristics of both arthropods and annelid worms [syn: onychophoran] |