lancelet
(ˈlɑːnslɪt, -æ-)
Also 6 lancelette, launcelet, -lot, 9 lancelot.
[f. lance n.1 + -let.]
† 1. A lancet. Obs.
| 1573 Baret Alv. L 77 A Lancelette or like instrument, scalprum chirurgicum. 1589 Rider Eng.-Lat. Dict. s.v. Launce, A Launcelot to cut wounds, smilium. 1593 G. Harvey New Letter 12 Pierces Supererogation..is lest beholding to the penknife: Nashes S. Fame hath somewhat more of the launcelet. 1656 Blount Glossogr., Launcelot, or Lancelot. |
2. Zool. A small fish-like animal; = Amphioxus.
| 1836 Yarrell Brit. Fishes II. 468 The Lancelet, Amphioxus lanceolatus. 1846 Carpenter Physiol. 382 The Amphioxus or Lancelot. 1847–9 Todd Cycl. Anat. IV. 450/2 In the..lancelet the only vestige of a distinct hepatic organ is a large cœcum. 1859 Darwin Orig. Spec. iv. (1873) 99 Members of the shark family would not tend to supplant the lancelet. |