pilidium

P3I1L1I1D2I1U1M3

noun

The free-swimming larva of certain proboscis worms, somewhat resembling a deerstalker hat. It has no resemblance to its parent, and the young worm undergoes development in its interior.

OriginAncient Greek πῑλίδιον →
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Meanings

nounpilidium (plural pilidia)

plural pilidia

  1. biologyThe free-swimming larva of certain proboscis worms, somewhat resembling a deerstalker hat. It has no resemblance to its parent, and the young worm undergoes development in its interior.

Origin

  1. Ancient Greekπῑλίδιον“little cap”
  2. Englishpilidium

From Ancient Greek πῑλίδιον (pīlídion, “little cap”), diminutive of πῖλος (pîlos), probably influenced by other formations in -idium, like miracidium, planidium, and coracidium.

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Cite this entry
APA

pilidium. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/pilidium

MLA

“pilidium.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/pilidium. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “pilidium,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/pilidium.

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