Gordiaceous

/ɡɔːdiˈeɪʃəs/ adjective

Definition

Of or relating to horsehair worms of the family Gordiidae or characteristics typical of such organisms.

Etymology

From Gordiidae (the family name) with the suffix '-ous' meaning 'having the quality of' or 'characterized by,' used in biological descriptions.

Kelly Says

The scientific naming of horsehair worms reveals how weird and parasitic life is—these worms can control insect behavior and burst out of their hosts, yet they're named so clinically.

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