1. Either of a pair of fang-like appendages near the mouth of arachnids (spiders, scorpions, mites) used for grasping, piercing, or injecting venom into prey.
Usage: Plural: chelicerae; Technical/scientific term; Commonly used in zoology and entomology

Examples

• The spider used its chelicerae to puncture the insect's exoskeleton.
• Scorpions have venomous chelicerae that they use to subdue their prey.
• Under the microscope, the mite's chelicerae were clearly visible.
• The chelicerae of a tarantula can deliver a painful bite to humans.
• Arachnids rely on their chelicerae for both feeding and defense.