par·a·me·ci·um (p r  -m  sh-m, -s-m)n. pl. par·a·me·ci·a (-sh -, -s-) or par·a·me·ci·ums Any of various freshwater ciliate protozoans of the genus Paramecium, usually oval and having an oral groove for feeding. [New Latin Param cium, genus name, from Greek paramks, oblong in shape : para-, alongside; see para-1 + mkos, length; see m k- in Indo-European roots.] |
paramecium [ˌpærəˈmiːsɪəm]
n pl -cia [-sɪə]
(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Animals) any freshwater protozoan of the genus Paramecium, having an oval body covered with cilia and a ventral ciliated groove for feeding: phylum Ciliophora (ciliates)
[New Latin, from Greek paramēkēs elongated, from para-1 + mēkos length]
| paramecium (pr-ms-m) Plural paramecia or parameciums Any of various freshwater protozoans of the genus Paramecium that are usually oval in shape and that move by means of cilia. Although they consist of a single cell, paramecia are large enough to be visible to the naked eye. Like other ciliates, paramecia contain two nuclei, a macronucleus and a micronucleus. On the cellular surface is a groove that opens into a gullet, into which food particles are absorbed. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  paramecium - any member of the genus Paramecium ciliate, ciliated protozoan, ciliophoran - a protozoan with a microscopic appendage extending from the surface of the cell genus Paramecium - freshwater ciliate with an oval body and long deep oral groove |
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