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.”