tunicate
/ˈtjuːnɪkət
/ /ˈtjuːnɪkeɪt/noun Zoology
A marine invertebrate of a group which includes the sea squirts and salps. They have a rubbery or hard outer coat and two siphons to draw water into and out of the body.
- Subphylum Urochordata: three classes.
- Sea squirts are tunicates, a type of sea life with a primitive spinal cord and a firm, flexible outer covering called a ‘tunic,’ from which the name derives.
- Many tunicates have a larva that is free-swimming and exhibits all chordate characteristics: it has a notochord, a dorsal nerve cord, pharyngeal slits, and a post-anal tail.
adjective (also tunicated) Botany
(Of a plant bulb, e.g. an onion) having concentric layers.
Origin
Mid 18th century: from Latin tunicatus, past participle of tunicare 'clothe with a tunic', from tunica (see tunica).