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Glite Dictionary
Chordata

Chordata

1 7.4
A group of animals that have a backbone or a similar support at some stage, like fish, birds, and mammals
  • noun
  • /ˈkɔrdətə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : cordados
  • Phylum Chordata...

Examples

  • The elephant is a fascinating member of the phylum Chordata, known for its intelligence and social behavior.

  • I couldn't find the traits to phylum chordata in the book.

    Better Luck Tomorrow (2002)

  • The next step down from that would be to decide in which class of the phylum Chordata it belongs.

    Blog text (30)

  • In the case of the Dunnock, it is in phylum Chordata.

    Blog text (30)

  • Let's name the species that live in the sea Mollusca and gastropoda, arthropoda, echinoderma, chordata

    Finding Nemo (2003)

  • Fish and birds are both classified within the phylum Chordata, sharing the common characteristic of having a backbone.

  • Scientists study the phylum Chordata to better understand the evolution of vertebrate animals.

Synonyms

phylum Chordata
vsChordata
  • Specialized
6.6

A major animal group with a backbone or soft rod along the back at some stage, like mammals

is the same meaning presented as a descriptive definition rather than a label

Compounds

phylum Chordata
  • Specialized
6.6

A major animal group with a backbone or soft rod along the back at some stage, like mammals

Surface Forms

Chordata singular
Chordatas plural

Morphology

Chordata = chordate (opaque) = chord + ata

The term is a scientific taxonomic formation (from classical combining elements) and the ending is a technical taxonomic marker; the relation to common English 'chord' is not semantically transparent for average learners.

Etymology

Chordata comes from the old root chorda, meaning 'cord' or 'string', and it is like the English word cord. It refers to the notochord, a stiff 'cord' along the back at some stage of life, so Chordata are animals that have that back 'cord'.