nematocyst noun. [nɪ'matǝ(ʊ)sɪst, 'nɛmǝt-] L19.
[formed as NEMATOCIDE + CYST.]
Zoology. A small organ contained in cells on the body surface of jellyfishes and other coelenterates, containing a coiled thread, freq. barbed or poisoned, which is ejected as a defence or to capture prey. Also called lasso-cell, thread-cell.

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