The Collaborative International Dictionary
Chelicera \Che*lic"e*ra\ (k[-e]*l[i^]s"[-e]*r[.a]), n.; pl. Chelicer[ae] (-r[=e]). [NL., fr. Gr. chhlh` claw + ke`ras horn.] (Zo["o]l.) One of the anterior pair of mouth organs, terminated by a pincherlike claw, in scorpions and allied Arachnida. They are homologous with the falcers of spiders, and probably with the mandibles of insects.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1831, Modern Latin chelicera, from Greek khele "claw, talon, cloven hoof," from PIE *ghel-wo-, from root *ghel-una- "jaw," + keras "horn" (see kerato-). Earlier chelicer (1835), from French chélicère.
Wiktionary
n. (plural of chelicera English)
WordNet
See chelicera
n. either of the first pair of fang-like appendages near the mouth of an arachnid; often modified for grasping and piercing
[also: chelicerae (pl)]
Wikipedia
Usage examples of "chelicerae".
Thek-ist knotted his chelicerae into a complex pattern that betokened the sentient mind's capacity for seeing patterns that weren't there.
The alien said something, waving its pedipalps and clicking its mandibles as its chelicerae subtly changed positions.
But," here he made a pinching gesture with his pedipalp and his chelicerae showed amusement, "where would they go?
She scraped the fat from her tongue with her chelicerae and pulled it off with her pedipalps, patting it back onto her lump.
The chelicerae (or pincers) were extended, so he could see the folded fangs.
As they entered the rubble-strewn hallway, the spider paused and his chelicerae unfolded.
But unlike the wolf spiders or death spiders, whose chelicerae resembled tufts of beard, the face of the glue spider entirely lacked the slightest touch of humanity.
The great dome of a head, not unlike that of a bald-headed man, surmounted the smooth pink chelicerae with their unfolded fangs.
Instead, more than a thousand paralyzed men were dragged into caves, and their clothes stripped from them by the powerful chelicerae of the male spiders.
Their white pseudo-chitin armor gleamed and their chelicerae snapped angrily.
He had seemed a bit wary of Jumper at first, but after appreciating the way the spider’s chelicerae, which were the big nippers where another creature’s jaws would be, crushed the food, Craven seemed quite satisfied.
Jumper looped silk around a sashed Mundane, chomped him neatly on the head with his chelicerae nippers, and went on.
The horrible hairy green chelicerae parted, ready to crush Dor’s helpless face into a pulp.
He had seemed a bit wary of Jumper at first, but after appreciating the way the spider's chelicerae, which were the big nippers where another creature's jaws would be, crushed the food, Craven seemed quite satisfied.
The horrible hairy green chelicerae parted, ready to crush Dor's helpless face into a pulp.