amphioxus

[ am-fee-ok-suhs ]

noun

, plural am·phi·ox·i [am-fee-, ok, -sahy], am·phi·ox·us·es.

1. Zoology. lancelet.

amphioxus

/ ˌæmfɪˈɒksəs /

noun

1. another name for the lancelet

amphioxus

/ ăm′fē-ŏk′səs /

1. See lancelet

Word History and Origins

Origin of amphioxus¹

1830–40; < New Latin: literally, sharp at both ends < Greek amphi- amphi- + oxýs pointed

Word History and Origins

Origin of amphioxus¹

C19: from New Latin: both ends being sharp, from amphi- + Greek oxus sharp

Example Sentences

Further experiments using single-cell analysis on amphioxus larvae will be needed to help determine how the complex architecture of the vertebrate brain arose.

From Nature

All homeobox genes identified in the genomes of the two hemichordates and amphioxus are listed in the Supplementary Table for Extended Data Fig.

From Nature

Pairwise distances to amphioxus are shown for each species above their respective branches.

From Nature

The lowest group of Vertebrata, including the amphioxus, in which no skull exists.

From Project Gutenberg

Holland notes that a lot more research—on acorn worms, amphioxus and other extant invertebrates—is needed.

From Scientific American