Amphioxus

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Amphioxus \Am`phi*ox"us\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. 'amfi` + ? sharp.]
     (Zool.)
     A fishlike creature ({Amphioxus lanceolatus}), two or three
     inches long, found in temperature seas; -- also called the
     {lancelet}. Its body is pointed at both ends. It is the
     lowest and most generalized of the vertebrates, having


     neither brain, skull, vertebr[ae], nor red blood. It forms
     the type of the group {Acrania}, {Leptocardia}, etc.
     [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  amphioxus
       n : small translucent lancet-shaped burrowing marine animal;
           primitive forerunner of the vertebrates [syn: {lancelet}]
       [also: {amphioxi} (pl)]