plasmodium

plas·mo·di·um  (plz-md-m)

n. pl. plas·mo·di·a (-d-)

1. A multinucleate mass of cytoplasm formed by the aggregation of a number of amoeboid cells, as that characteristic of the vegetative phase of the slime molds.

2. A protozoan of the genus Plasmodium, which includes the parasites that cause malaria.

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[New Latin Plasmdium, genus name : plasm(o)- + Greek -ds, resembling; see collodion.]

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plas·modi·al (-d-l) adj.

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plasmodium [plæzˈməʊdɪəm]

n pl -dia [-dɪə]

1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biology) an amoeboid mass of protoplasm, containing many nuclei: a stage in the life cycle of certain organisms, esp the nonreproductive stage of the slime moulds

2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Animals) any parasitic sporozoan protozoan of the genus Plasmodium, such as P. falciparum and P. vivax, which cause malaria

[New Latin; see plasma, -ode¹]

plasmodial  adj

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plasmodium  (plz-md-m)

Plural plasmodia

1. A mass of protoplasm having many cell nuclei but not divided into separate cells. It is formed by the combination of many amoeba-like cells and is characteristic of the active, feeding phase of certain slime molds.

2. Any of various single-celled organisms (called protozoans) that exist as parasites in vertebrate animals, one of which causes malaria.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	plasmodium - multinucleate sheet of cytoplasm characteristic of some stages of such organisms as slime molds cytol, cytoplasm - the protoplasm of a cell excluding the nucleus; is full of proteins that control cell metabolism
	2.	plasmodium - parasitic protozoan of the genus Plasmodium that causes malaria in humans malaria parasite, Plasmodium vivax sporozoan - parasitic spore-forming protozoan genus Plasmodium - type genus of the family Plasmodiidae