1. of, relating to, or belonging to the class Polychaeta of marine worms characterized by numerous bristle-like structures (chaetae) on each body segment
Usage: zoology; technical

Examples

• Polychaetous worms are commonly found in ocean sediments and coral reef environments.
• The researcher studied the polychaetous fauna of the deep-sea trench.
• Many polychaetous species exhibit bioluminescence in the dark ocean depths.
• The polychaetous bristles help these marine worms move through sand and mud.
• Scientists classify tube worms and feather duster worms as polychaetous organisms.