ascidioid
|as-ci-di-oid|
/æsˈsɪdiɔɪd/
resembling a sea squirt; saclike
Etymology
'ascidioid' originates from New Latin/scientific coinage, specifically from the combining form 'ascidio-' (from Latin 'ascidia' or New Latin 'Ascidiacea') and the Greek-derived suffix '-oid' meaning 'resembling'. The element 'ascidia' ultimately comes from Greek 'askidion' meaning 'little bag'.
'ascidioid' developed from New Latin forms such as 'ascidioides' (formed from 'ascidia' + Greek '-oides') used in 19th-century zoological descriptions, and later entered English scientific usage as 'ascidioid'.
Initially the root referred to a 'little bag' (Greek 'askidion'), and over time the term came to mean 'resembling ascidians' or 'having a saclike/tunicate form' in biological contexts; this is the modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a (usually fossil or microscopic) organism or structure that resembles an ascidian; an organism described as ascidioid.
Researchers identified the specimen as an ascidioid based on its saclike morphology.
Synonyms
Adjective 1
resembling or having the characteristics of ascidians (sea squirts) — saclike or tunicate-like in form or structure.
The fossil displayed ascidioid features that suggested a tunicate-like body plan.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/26 15:10