1. a limb of a crustacean (such as a crab or lobster) that bears a claw or pincer at its end
Usage: zoology; typically used in plural form 'chelipeds'

Examples

• The crab used its chelipeds to grasp and crush its food.
• Lobsters have two large chelipeds at the front of their body.
• The cheliped is the first pair of walking legs modified into a claw-bearing appendage.
• Scientists examined the cheliped structure to classify the crustacean species.
• A hermit crab's chelipeds help it manipulate objects and defend itself.