protochordate

[proh-toh-kawr-deyt]

noun

Zoology.

1. any of the nonvertebrate chordates, as the tunicates, cephalochordates, and hemichordates.

protochordate

/ ˌprəʊtəʊˈkɔːdeɪt /

noun

1. any chordate animal of the subphyla Hemichordata (acorn worms), Urochordata (tunicates), and Cephalochordata (lancelets)

adjective

1. of or relating to protochordates

Word History and Origins

Origin of protochordate¹

1890–95; < New Latin Protochordata name of the group; proto-, chordate