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chela

1

[ kee-luh ]

noun

, plural che·lae [kee, -lee].
  1. the pincerlike organ or claw terminating certain limbs of crustaceans and arachnids.


chela

2

[ chey-lah ]

noun

  1. (in India) a disciple of a religious teacher.

chela

1

/ ˈtʃeɪlə /

noun

  1. Hinduism a disciple of a religious teacher


chela

2

/ kɪˈlɪfərəs; ˈkiːlə /

noun

  1. a large pincer-like claw of such arthropods as the crab and scorpion

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Derived Forms

  • ˈchelaˌship, noun
  • cheliferous, adjective

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Other Words From

  • chela·ship noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of chela1

1640–50; < New Latin < Greek chēlḗ claw

Origin of chela2

1825–35; < Hindi celā; compare Pali cellaka monk, Prakrit cilla boy, student

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Word History and Origins

Origin of chela1

C19: from Hindi celā, from Sanskrit ceta servant, slave

Origin of chela2

C17: New Latin, from Greek khēlē claw

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Example Sentences

I have now no chela, but I will take the alms-bowl and thus enable the charitable to acquire merit.'

Lamas I know, and to these I give reverence, but thou art no more a lawful chela than this my finger is the pole of this waggon.

The lama would give him no help, but, as a conscientious chela, Kim was delighted to beg for two.

Rich would be the reward of such a master and such a chela when the time came for them to seek freedom together!

Let the chela study the troubles that come from over-eating—bloated stomach and burning bowels.

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