cephalochordate

ceph·a·lo·chor·date  (sf-l-kôrdt)

n.

Any of various primitive chordate animals of the subphylum Cephalochordata, such as the lancet, that lack a true vertebral column.

adj.

Of, relating to, or belonging to the subphylum Cephalochordata.

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[From New Latin Cephalochordta, subphylum name : cephalo- + Chordta, chordate phylum; see chordate.]

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cephalochordate  (sf-l-kôrdt)

A member of the subphylum Cephalochordata of the phylum Chordata, whose only living species are the lancelets. See more at lancelet. Compare hemichordate.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

cephalochordate - fish-like animals having a notochord rather than a true spinal column chordate - any animal of the phylum Chordata having a notochord or spinal column Cephalochordata, subphylum Cephalochordata - lancelets amphioxus, lancelet - small translucent lancet-shaped burrowing marine animal; primitive forerunner of the vertebrates