lancelet

3 definitions found

lancelet - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Lancelet \Lance"let\, n. [Lance + -let.] (Zool.)
     A small fishlike animal (Amphioxus lanceolatus), remarkable
     for the rudimentary condition of its organs. It is the type
     of the class Leptocardia. See Amphioxus, Leptocardia.
     [1913 Webster]

  Amphioxus \Am`phi*ox"us\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. 'amfi` + ? sharp.]
     (Zool.)
     A fishlike creature (Amphioxus lanceolatus), two or three
     inches long, found in temperature seas; -- also called the
     lancelet. Its body is pointed at both ends. It is the
     lowest and most generalized of the vertebrates, having
     neither brain, skull, vertebr[ae], nor red blood. It forms
     the type of the group Acrania, Leptocardia, etc.
     [1913 Webster]

lancelet - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  lancelet
      n 1: small translucent lancet-shaped burrowing marine animal;
           primitive forerunner of the vertebrates [syn: lancelet,
           amphioxus]