scolex

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noun

The structure at the front end of a tapeworm which, in the adult, has suckers and hooks by which it attaches itself to a host.

OriginAncient Greek σκώληξ →
Scrabble 15
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Meanings

nounscolex (plural scolices or scoleces or scolexes)

plural scolices · plural scoleces · plural scolexes

  1. biologyThe structure at the front end of a tapeworm which, in the adult, has suckers and hooks by which it attaches itself to a host.

    The head, with the circle of hooklets and the four suckers, is then formed at the anterior part of the embryo, constituting now the scolex of Van Beneden.

    1859, Robert Bentley Todd, The Cyclopædia of Anatomy and Physiology

Origin

  1. Ancient Greekσκώληξ
  2. Ancient Greekσκώληξ
  3. Englishscolex

Borrowed from Ancient Greek σκώληξ (skṓlēx, “worm”).

More words from Ancient Greek

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Polish skoleks, główka
  • skolekshooked structure at the front end of a tapeworm
  • główkahooked structure at the front end of a tapeworm
Portuguese escólex
  • escólexhooked structure at the front end of a tapeworm
Cite this entry
APA

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

MLA

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

Chicago

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

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