hemichorda

/hɛmɪˈkɔrdə/

Definitions

1. noun

A type of chordate that is intermediate in development between non-chordate animals and true chordates.

“The discovery of the hemichorda provided new insights into the evolution of the vertebrate skeleton.”

2. noun

A type of larva that is found in some chordate animals.

“During the embryonic stage, the larva is a hemichorda before it develops into a juvenile fish.”

Synonyms

  • intermediate chordate
  • larval chordate

Antonyms

  • non-chordate
  • vertebrate