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tunicate

adjective tu·ni·cate \ ˈtü-ni-kət , ˈtyü- , -nə-ˌkāt \
variants: or less commonly tunicated play \-nə-ˌkā-təd\

Definition of tunicate

1 a :having or covered with a tunic or tunica
b :having, arranged in, or made up of concentric layers
  • a tunicate flower bulb
2 :of or relating to the tunicates

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Origin and Etymology of tunicate

Latin tunicatus, from tunica

2

tunicate

noun tu·ni·cate \ -ni-kət , -nə-ˌkāt \

Definition of tunicate

:any of a subphylum (Urochordata synonym Tunicata) of marine chordate animals (such as ascidians) that are filter feeders having a thick secreted covering layer, a greatly reduced nervous system, and only in the larval stage a notochord

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Origin and Etymology of tunicate

New Latin Tunicata, from neuter plural of Latin tunicatus

Learn More about tunicate

  1. See words that rhyme with tunicate Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tunicate

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