hemichordate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “hemichordate” mean?
A member of a phylum of marine invertebrates that share some but not all chordate characteristics, such as a primitive notochord-like structure.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A member of a phylum of marine invertebrates that share some but not all chordate characteristics, such as a primitive notochord-like structure.
Any worm-like marine animal belonging to the phylum Hemichordata, which includes acorn worms and pterobranchs, considered an evolutionary link between invertebrates and chordates.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences in usage. Spelling is consistent.
Connotations
Identical technical/conceptual connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both varieties, restricted to academic/biological discourse with identical frequency.
Grammar
How to Use “hemichordate” in a Sentence
[hemichordate] as a [noun]the [adjective] hemichordatebelongs to the hemichordatesVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hemichordate” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The hemichordatan body plan shows intriguing similarities to early chordates.
- We studied hemichordate larvae under the microscope.
American English
- The hemichordate anatomy includes a proboscis and collar.
- Hemichordate fossil evidence is relatively scarce.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in biological textbooks and research papers on evolution, marine biology, and comparative anatomy.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Core term in zoological taxonomy and phylogenetic studies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hemichordate”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hemichordate”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hemichordate”
- Mispronouncing as /hi:maɪ.../ or /'hemɪkɔ:rdət/.
- Using it as an adjective (e.g., 'hemichordate features') instead of the correct adjectival form 'hemichordatan'.
- Confusing hemichordates with tunicates or cephalochordates, which are full chordates.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Hemichordates are invertebrate marine worms (like acorn worms) or small colonial animals (pterobranchs). They lack bones, fins, and the other defining features of fish.
They are evolutionarily significant as a sister group to echinoderms (starfish) and share key developmental and anatomical features with chordates, helping scientists understand how complex body plans evolved.
It comes from the Greek 'hemi-' meaning 'half'. It refers to the fact they possess some, but not all, of the defining characteristics of true chordates (like a full notochord).
It's possible but unlikely. Most hemichordates (acorn worms) live buried in mud, sand, or under rocks in shallow to deep seas. They are not typically found washed up on shore like shells or jellyfish.
A member of a phylum of marine invertebrates that share some but not all chordate characteristics, such as a primitive notochord-like structure.
Hemichordate is usually technical/scientific in register.
Hemichordate: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhɛmɪˈkɔːdeɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhɛmɪˈkɔːrdeɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
HEMI-CHORD-ATE: HEMI (half) + CHORD (like the notochord in our spine) + ATE (makes it a noun for an animal). Think: 'Halfway to having a spinal cord.'
Conceptual Metaphor
A BRIDGE or MISSING LINK between simple invertebrates and more complex chordates (like humans).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary habitat of hemichordates?