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

Take the weirdly cuddly-looking tardigrade — like a cross between a tank and a teddy bear, and renowned for its indestructibility.

From Salon • Apr. 20, 2025

Importantly, the research shows that the whole process is reversible: "When the stress is relieved, the tardigrade gels dissolve, and the human cells return to their normal metabolism," Boothby says.

From Science Daily • Mar. 26, 2024

At the time the video was recorded, the Trump and American flags flanked the silhouette of the tardigrade with the words, “Live Tiny, Die Never” and a series of initials.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 12, 2023

A camel and a microscopic tardigrade make cameos.

From New York Times • May 17, 2023

She saw a tardigrade slowly walking round a bladder, as if reconnoitring; at last it crawled into the depression where the valve lies, and then easily entered.

From Insectivorous Plants by Darwin, Charles