-chae·ta
\ˈkēd.ə, -ētə\  noun combining form 
Etymology: New Latin, from Greek -chaitēs -haired, from chaitē 
1. also -chae·tes\ˈkēd.(ˌ)ēz, -ēˌtēz\  or -chae·tus \ˈkēd.əs, -ētəs\  : haired one : hairlike one  — in generic names
< Spirochaeta >
< Connochaetes >
2. plural -chae·tae\ˈkēd.(ˌ)ē, -ēˌtē\   : bristle (of a specified type) 
< microchaeta >
1. also -chae·tes
< Spirochaeta >
< Connochaetes >
2. plural -chae·tae
< microchaeta >