Metazoa

American  

[met-uh-zoh-uh] / ˌmɛt əˈzoʊ ə /

noun

1. a zoological group comprising the multicellular animals.

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Other Word Forms

• metazoal adjective
• metazoan adjective
• metazoic adjective

Etymology

Origin of Metazoa

From New Latin, dating back to 1870–75; see origin at meta-, -zoa

Example Sentences

Our integrative analyses place Ctenophora as the earliest lineage within Metazoa.

From Nature • May 20, 2014

It is desirable only further to explain that gastrulation does not take place in all the Metazoa after exactly the same plan.

From Darwin, and After Darwin (Vol. 1 and 3, of 3) An Exposition of the Darwinian Theory and a Discussion of Post-Darwinian Questions by Romanes, George John

In the higher Metazoa the whole cell—muscle cell—is specialized for contractility, and shows, as a result of its specialization, a distinct fibrillation.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 8 "Cube" to "Daguerre, Louis" by Various

Here, then, we leave the lower forms of Metazoa in their condition of permanent gastrulæ.

From Darwin, and After Darwin (Vol. 1 and 3, of 3) An Exposition of the Darwinian Theory and a Discussion of Post-Darwinian Questions by Romanes, George John

And its marvellous development in the Metazoa appears ultimately to depend upon the highly specialized character of germ-cells.

From Darwin, and After Darwin (Vol. 1 and 3, of 3) An Exposition of the Darwinian Theory and a Discussion of Post-Darwinian Questions by Romanes, George John