flagellum

fla·gel·lum  (fl-jlm)

n. pl. fla·gel·la (-jl)

1. Biology A long, threadlike appendage, especially a whiplike extension of certain cells or unicellular organisms that functions as an organ of locomotion.

2. A whip.

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[Latin, diminutive of flagrum, whip.]

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flagellum [fləˈdʒɛləm]

n pl -la [-lə], -lums

1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biology) Biology a long whiplike outgrowth from a cell that acts as an organ of locomotion: occurs in some protozoans, gametes, spores, etc.

2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Botany) Botany a long thin supple shoot or runner

3. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Zoology) Zoology the terminal whiplike part of an arthropod's appendage, esp of the antenna of many insects

[from Latin: a little whip, from flagrum a whip, lash]

flagellar  adj

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flagellum  (fl-jlm)

Plural flagella

A slender whiplike part extending from some single-celled organisms, such as the dinoflagellates, that moves rapidly back and forth to impart movement to the organism.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	flagellum - a whip used to inflict punishment (often used for pedantic humor) scourge whip - an instrument with a handle and a flexible lash that is used for whipping
	2.	flagellum - a lash-like appendage used for locomotion (e.g., in sperm cells and some bacteria and protozoa) eubacteria, eubacterium, true bacteria - a large group of bacteria having rigid cell walls; motile types have flagella sperm, sperm cell, spermatozoan, spermatozoon - the male reproductive cell; the male gamete; "a sperm is mostly a nucleus surrounded by little other cellular material" appendage, outgrowth, process - a natural prolongation or projection from a part of an organism either animal or plant; "a bony process"