| tunicata | <zoology> A grand division of the animal kingdom, intermediate, in some respects, between the invertebrates and vertebrates, and by some writers united with the latter. They were formerly classed with acephalous mollusks. The body is usually covered with a firm external tunic, consisting in part of cellulose, and having two openings, one for the entrance and one for the exit of water. The pharynx is usually dilated in the form of a sac, pierced by several series of ciliated slits, and serves as a gill. most of the species when mature are firmly attached to foreign substances, but have free-swimming larvae which are furnished with an elongated tail and somewhat resemble a tadpole. In this state the larva has a urochord and certain other structures resembling some embryonic vertebrates. See Ascidian, Doliolum, Salpa, Urochord, and Illust. Of Social ascidian, under Social. Origin: NL. See Tunicate. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| tunicate | <zoology> One of the Tunicata. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| tunicated | 1. <botany> Covered with a tunic; covered or coated with layers; as, a tunicated bulb. 2. <zoology> Having a tunic, or mantle; of or pertaining to the Tunicata. Having each joint buried in the preceding funnel-shaped one, as in certain antennae of insects. Origin: L. Tunicatus, p. P. Of tunicare to clothe with a tunic, fr. Tunica a tunic. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| tunicin | <physiology> Animal cellulose; a substance present in the mantle, or tunic, of the Tunicates, which resembles, or is identical with, the cellulose of the vegetable kingdom. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| tunicle | 1. A slight natural covering; an integument. "The tunicles that make the ball or apple of the eye." (Holland) 2. A short, close-fitting vestment worn by bishops under the dalmatic, and by subdeacons. Origin: L. Tunicula a little tunic, coat, or membrane, dim. Of tunica a tunic: cf. OF. Tunicle. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |