1.
[syn: Tardigrada, class Tardigrada]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Tardigrada \Tar`di*gra"da\, n. pl. [NL. See Tardigrade, a.]
1. (Zool.) A tribe of edentates comprising the sloths. They
are noted for the slowness of their movements when on the
ground. See Sloth, 3.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Zool.) An order of minute aquatic arachnids; -- called
also bear animalcules, sloth animalcules, and water
bears.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
Tardigrada
n 1: in some classifications considered a separate phylum:
microscopic arachnid-like invertebrates living in water or
damp moss having 4 pairs of legs and instead of a mouth a
pair of stylets or needlelike piercing organs connected
with the pharynx [syn: Tardigrada, class Tardigrada]