cnidocyst

noun

cni·​do·​cyst ˈnī-də-ˌsist 

plural cnidocysts

: nematocyst

The stinging cells, or cnidocysts, of sea anemones, jellyfish and other cnidarians work like tiny harpoons when triggered by physical contact.

—Colin Barras

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Cnidocyste, from Greek knī́dē "nettle, sea nettle" + German -o- -o- + -cyste -cyst — more at cnidarian

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above