Chordate - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
A chordate is an animal belonging to the phylum Chordata, characterized by having a notochord, a dorsal nerve cord, and pharyngeal slits at some stage of development. Examples include fish, birds, and mammals.
Definition:
An animal with a notochord at some stage of development, including vertebrates and some invertebrates.
Synonyms:
vertebrate, craniate, phylum Chordata member
Part of Speech:
noun, adjective
Antonyms:
invertebrate, non-chordate
Common Collocations:
chordate anatomy, chordate evolution, chordate species
Derivatives:
chordates, chordal
Usage Tips:
Use "chordate" to describe animals with a notochord; it applies to vertebrates and some marine invertebrates.
Common Phrases:
chordate family tree, primitive chordates, higher chordates
Etymology:
From Latin "chorda" (cord) + "-ate," referring to the notochord structure in these animals.
Examples:
- 1. The lancelet is a simple chordate found in shallow waters.
- 2. Humans are advanced chordates with complex spinal structures.
- 3. The study of chordate development reveals evolutionary links between species.
- 4. Some chordates, like tunicates, lose their notochord as adults.