a of worms, usually parasitic, irregular Modern Latin compound of Greek nemat- "thread" (see nemato-) + -odes "like, of the nature of" (see -oid). So called for their thread-like appearance.
Entries linking to nematoda
nemato-
combining form in scientific words, from Greek nēma "thread" (genitive nēmatos), from stem of nein "to spin," from PIE root *(s)ne- "to sew, to spin" (see needle (n.)).
-oid
word-forming element meaning "like, like that of, thing like a ______," from Latinized form of Greek -oeidēs (three syllables), from eidos "form," related to idein "to see," eidenai "to know;" literally "to see" (from PIE *weid-es-, from root *weid- "to see"). The -o- is connective or a stem vowel from the previous element. Often implying an incomplete or imperfect resemblance to the thing indicated.
nematode n.
a thread-worm, roundworm, pin-worm, etc., 1865, from Modern Latin Nematoda, the or phylum name.