Tardigrada

2 definitions found

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

  Tardigrada \Tar`di*gra"da\, n. pl. [NL. See {Tardigrade}, a.]
     1. (Zool.) A tribe of edentates comprising the sloths. They
        are noted for the slowness of their movements when on the
        ground. See {Sloth}, 3.
        [1913 Webster]
  


     2. (Zool.) An order of minute aquatic arachnids; -- called
        also {bear animalcules}, {sloth animalcules}, and {water
        bears}.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  Tardigrada
       n : in some classifications considered a separate phylum:
           microscopic arachnid-like invertebrates living in water
           or damp moss having 4 pairs of legs and instead of a
           mouth a pair of stylets or needle-like piercing organs
           connected with the pharynx [syn: {class Tardigrada}]