lancelet

[ lans-lit, lahns- ]

noun

1. 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.

lancelet

/ ˈlɑːnslɪt /

noun

1. 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 calledamphioxus

lancelet

/ lăns′lĭt /

1. 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.
2. Also called amphioxus

Word History and Origins

Origin of lancelet¹

First recorded in 1565–75; lance ² + -let

Word History and Origins

Origin of lancelet¹

C19: referring to the slender shape

Example Sentences

The development of the Lancelet presents us with an instance of the two-layered larva, or Gastrula.

From Project Gutenberg

From the lowest of the Vertebrata, the Lancelet, we passed on to the Lamprey, and from that to the true fishes.

From Project Gutenberg

The human heart may present in degenerates all types from the pulsating vessel found in the lancelet up to that of the mammal.

From Project Gutenberg

Nothing of the nature of lung or air-bladder is found in lancelet, lamprey, or shark.

From Project Gutenberg

The lowest of the Vertebrata, the Lancelet (see p. 140), has a larva of this kind.

From Project Gutenberg