# acarid

CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/acarid
Updated: 2026-05-26

## Definition

a small, eight-legged animal that is related to spiders and ticks. These tiny creatures are often found in soil or water and are important for breaking down organic matter.

For teachers: a small, usually microscopic arachnid belonging to the subclass Acari, which includes mites and ticks. Often used in scientific contexts to describe species that play a role in decomposition or parasitism.

## Examples

- The acarid lives in the soil and feeds on dead leaves.
- Scientists studied the acarid population in the garden to understand how they help control plant pests.
- The presence of specific acarid species in the sediment layers provided paleontologists with a precise timeline for the environmental changes that occurred during the transition from the Triassic to the Jurassic periods.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.