lancelet

[ lans-lit, lahns- ]
/ ˈlæns lɪt, ˈlɑns- /

noun

any of several small, lancet-shaped burrowing marine animals of the subphylum Cephalochordata, having a notochord and bearing structural similarities to both vertebrates and invertebrates.
Also called amphioxus.

Origin of lancelet

First recorded in 1565–75; lance2 + -let

Words nearby lancelet

lance of courtesy, lance rest, lance sergeant, lancefield classification, lancejack, lancelet, lancelot, lancelot, sir, lanceolate, lancepod, lancer

Example sentences from the Web for lancelet

British Dictionary definitions for lancelet

lancelet
/ (ˈlɑːnslɪt) /

noun

any of several marine animals of the genus Branchiostoma (formerly Amphioxus), esp B. lanceolatus, that are closely related to the vertebrates: subphylum Cephalochordata (cephalochordates) Also called: amphioxus

Word Origin for lancelet

C19: referring to the slender shape

Scientific definitions for lancelet

lancelet
[ lăns′lĭt ]

Any of various small, transparent, fishlike marine organisms of the subphylum Cephalochordata that are related to vertebrates but have a notochord instead of a true backbone. Unlike other primitive chordates, lancelets have a body divided into serially repeated muscular segments. Also called amphioxus