trochophore

American

[trok-uh-fawr, -fohr] / ˈtrɒk əˌfɔr, -ˌfoʊr /

noun

Zoology.

a ciliate, free-swimming larva common to several groups of invertebrates, as many mollusks and rotifers.

trochophore British

/ ˈtrɒkəsˌfɪə, ˈtrɒkəˌfɔː /

noun

the ciliated planktonic larva of many invertebrates, including polychaete worms, molluscs, and rotifers

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of trochophore

1890–95; < Greek trochó ( s ) wheel + -phore

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Trochophore larvae are characterized by two bands of cilia around the body.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

C, Trochophore of Polygordius. and D, later stage of the same, showing the development of the trunk.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 8 "Haller, Albrecht" to "Harmonium" by Various

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023