caecilian
noun
cae·ci·lian
si-ˈsil-yən 
-ˈsēl-,
-ˈsi-lē-ən
: any of an order (Gymnophiona) of chiefly tropical burrowing limbless amphibians resembling worms
caecilian
adjective
Examples of caecilian in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Zoologists knew something was up with these amphibians, called caecilians, for decades.
—
Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 May 2024
Over time, zoologists kept finding examples of baby caecilians feeding on the mucus and skin of their mothers—a strategy quite different from the lay ’em and leave ’em behavior many frogs employ to kick-start the next generation.
—Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 May 2024
Since 1987, his team has been musing about caecilians making milk.
—Sofia Quaglia, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024
Dedicated parents Some caecilians give live birth, but ringed caecilians lay eggs.
—Popular Science, 7 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for caecilian 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 May 2024
Over time, zoologists kept finding examples of baby caecilians feeding on the mucus and skin of their mothers—a strategy quite different from the lay ’em and leave ’em behavior many frogs employ to kick-start the next generation.
—Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 May 2024
Since 1987, his team has been musing about caecilians making milk.
—Sofia Quaglia, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024
Dedicated parents Some caecilians give live birth, but ringed caecilians lay eggs.
—Popular Science, 7 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for caecilian
Dictionary Entries Near caecilian
Cite this Entry
“Caecilian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caecilian. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share