Pronunciation: ˌ ves-t ə - ˌ men- ' ti-f( ə -)r ə n
Function: noun
Etymology: New Latin Vestimentifera, from vestimentum muscular structure by which the worm emerges from its tube (fr. Latin, garment) + -fera, neuter plural of -fer -fer
Date: 1982
: any of a taxonomic group (Vestimentifera) of very large tube worms that may grow to 9 feet (3 meters) in length and more than an inch (3 centimeters) in diameter, are found especially near deep-sea hydrothermal vents, and are considered pogonophorans or a separate phylum or polychaetes
– vestimentiferan adjective