Tardigrada

plural noun

Tar·​digra·​da

tärˈdigrədə,

ˌtärdəˈgrādə

1

in former classifications : an order of mammals equivalent to the Bradypodidae

2

: a division of Arthropoda comprising microscopic creatures that live in water or damp moss, resemble arachnids in having four pairs of legs, lack mouth appendages and circulatory and respiratory organs, and have a pair of styliform piercing organs connected with the pharynx

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from neuter plural of Latin tardigradus slow-moving

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