ascidiate
|a-sid-i-ate|
/əˈsɪdiət/
sac-like sea-squirt
Etymology
'ascidiate' originates from New Latin/Modern scientific formation related to 'Ascidiacea', ultimately from Greek 'askidion', where 'askos' meant 'bag' or 'wineskin'.
'askos' (Greek) produced the diminutive 'askidion' ('little bag'); this became Latin/Medieval Latin 'ascidia' referring to saclike sea creatures, then New Latin/Scientific 'Ascidiacea' and English forms 'ascidian' and 'ascidiate'.
Initially it referred to a 'little bag' (shape); over time the term came to denote saclike marine animals (sea-squirts) and things relating to them, which is the modern meaning.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a tunicate of the class Ascidiacea; an ascidian or sea-squirt.
He found an ascidiate attached to the underside of the rock in the tide pool.
Synonyms
Adjective 1
relating to or characteristic of ascidiates (sea-squirts) or the class Ascidiacea.
Researchers studied ascidiate larvae to understand their developmental stages.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/26 14:00