amphioxus
|am-phi-ox-us|
C2
/ˌæmfiˈɒksəs/
small marine animal
Etymology
Etymology Information
'amphioxus' originates from Greek, specifically the words 'amphi' meaning 'both' and 'oxys' meaning 'sharp'.
Historical Evolution
'amphioxus' was directly borrowed from the Greek word 'amphioxus' into modern English.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it referred to the sharpness at both ends of the animal, and this meaning has remained consistent in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a small, elongated marine animal of the subphylum Cephalochordata, also known as lancelet, which is considered a primitive chordate.
The amphioxus is often studied for its evolutionary significance.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/07/22 08:21