n-tif-er-uhn, -men-] 
| any of various marine tubeworms of the phylum Vestimentifera or Pogonophora, which live in upright tubes near hydrothermal vents. |
| vestimentiferan n. Any of various marine tubeworms, including the giant tubeworms, of the phylum Vestimentifera, that lack a digestive system, depend on chemoautotrophic bacteria for nutrients, and inhabit areas close to deep sea hydrothermal vents or areas of cold water seeps on continental margins. |