1. A marine worm of the family Nereididae, having a segmented body with paired appendages; commonly used as bait in fishing.
Usage: zoology; often used in plural form 'nereids' or 'nereises'; also called ragworm or sandworm

Examples

• The fisherman dug in the sand to collect nereis for bait.
• Nereis worms are commonly found in coastal mudflats and sandy areas.
• Marine biologists study nereis to understand polychaete evolution.
• The nereis has a distinctive head with tentacles and jaws.
• Aquarium hobbyists sometimes keep nereis as food for larger fish.