Tardigrade
/ˈtɑːr.dɪ.ɡreɪd/noun
A microscopic eight-legged animal known for its extreme resilience to harsh conditions.
Did you know?The name was coined in 1777 by Italian naturalist Lazzaro Spallanzani from Latin roots meaning “slow step,” a scientific label that now sounds like a spell for an indestructible creature.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
tardus
“slow, sluggish, late”
Latin
Latin
gradus
“a step, stride, or pace”
1777
Italian/Neo-Latin
tardigrada
“slow-stepping creatures; the scientific name for these tiny animals”
Late 18th Century
French/Scientific Latin
tardigrade
“adopted into scientific usage as the name of the animal group”
Modern English
English
tardigrade
“a phylum of minute invertebrates with eight legs and extreme stress tolerance”