online vocabulary.com

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.

chordate

/ˈkɔrˌdeɪt/ /ˈkɔːdeɪt/

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.

MORE VOCABULARY LISTS