TUNICATA

Urochordata, subphylum Urochordata, Urochorda, subphylum Urochorda, Tunicata, subphylum Tunicata

(noun) tunicates

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Tu`ni*ca"ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Tunicate.] (Zoöl.)

Definition: A grand division of the animal kingdom, intermediate, in some respects, between the invertebrates and vertebrates, and by some writers united with the latter. They were formerly classed with acephalous mollusks. The body is usually covered with a firm external tunic, consisting in part of cellulose, and having two openings, one for the entrance and one for the exit of water. The pharynx is usually dilated in the form of a sac, pierced by several series of ciliated slits, and serves as a gill.

Note: Most of the species when mature are firmly attached to foreign substances, but have free-swimming larvæ which are furnished with an elongated tail and somewhat resemble a tadpole. In this state the larva has a urochord and certain other structures resembling some embryonic vertebrates. See Ascidian, Doliolum, Salpa, Urochord, and Illust. of Social ascidian, under Social.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

15 May 2025

PARSIMONIOUS

(adjective) excessively unwilling to spend; “parsimonious thrift relieved by few generous impulses”; “lived in a most penurious manner--denying himself every indulgence”


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Coffee Trivia

Coffee starts as a yellow berry, changes into a red berry, and then is picked by hand to harvest. The red berry is de-shelled through a water soaking process and what’s left inside is the green coffee bean. This bean then dries in the sun for 3-5 days, where it is then packed and ready for sale.

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