tardigrade

American  

[tahr-di-greyd] / ˈtɑr dɪˌgreɪd /

noun

1. Also called bear animalcule, water bear.  any microscopic, chiefly herbivorous invertebrate of the phylum Tardigrada, living in water, on mosses, lichens, etc.

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adjective

1. belonging or pertaining to the phylum Tardigrada.

2. slow in pace or movement.

tardigrade British  

/ ˈtɑːdɪˌɡreɪd /

noun

1. Popular name: water bear.  any minute aquatic segmented eight-legged invertebrate of the phylum Tardigrada, related to the arthropods, occurring in soil, ditches, etc

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Tardigrada

tardigrade Scientific  

/ tär′dĭ-grād′ /

1. Any of various slow-moving, minute invertebrates of the phylum Tardigrada. Tardigrades have a head and four fused body segments, each of which has a pair of stubby legs ending in claws. They live in water, damp moss, flower petals, or sand, and are usually 1 mm (0.04 inches) or less in size. Tardigrades are able to resist extremely low temperature, pressure, and humidity, and go into dormant states for months or years. They are believed to be intermediate in evolutionary development between annelids and arthropods.

2. Also called water bear

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Etymology

Origin of tardigrade

First recorded in 1615–25, tardigrade is from the Latin word tardigradus slow-paced. See tardy, -grade

Example Sentences

Start with the adorably strange tardigrades, or “moss piglets,” with their chubby bodies and eight fat legs.

From The Wall Street Journal

In another study, one species of tardigrade revived after 20 years as a dried-out little ball.

From Salon

Our star dying is an event, the authors say, that even tardigrades are not going to pull through.

From Salon

Ecdysozoans include all the arthropods, including insects, crustaceans, and spiders, as well as tardigrades, and roundworms, or nematodes.

From Science Magazine

At the same time, Kolling urges tardigrade fans to remain grounded in their excitement about what humanity can learn from them.

From Salon