mermithergate

M3E1R1M3I1T1H4E1R1G2A1T1E1

noun

A worker ant that is deformed by parasitic nematodes.

OriginNew Latin mermithergata ← Ancient Greek μέρμις →
Scrabble 21
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Meanings

nounmermithergate (plural mermithergates)

plural mermithergates

  1. biologyA worker ant that is deformed by parasitic nematodes.

    The normal worker castes of Pheidole gouldi are depicted in comparison with a mermithergate: side view of the body of a mermithergate, with the Mermis nematode visible through the intersegmental membranes of its gaster […]

    2003, Edward O. Wilson, Pheidole in the New World: A Dominant, Hyperdiverse Ant Genus

Origin

  1. Ancient Greekμέρμις“cord, string”
  2. New Latinmermithergata
  3. Englishmermithergate

From New Latin mermithergata, from Ancient Greek μέρμις (mérmis, “cord, string”) + ἐργάτης (ergátēs, “worker”).

More words from New Latin, Ancient Greek

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

mermithergate. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/mermithergate

MLA

“mermithergate.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/mermithergate. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “mermithergate,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/mermithergate.

Source: mermithergate on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.