paramecium (redirected from paramoeciums)

par·a·me·ci·um  (pr-msh-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.

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[New Latin Paramcium, genus name, from Greek paramks, oblong in shape : para-, alongside; see para-¹ + mkos, length; see mk- in Indo-European roots.]

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paramecium [par-a-mee-see-um, -see-a]

Noun

pl -cia a single-celled animal which lives in ponds, puddles, and sewage filters and swims by means of cilia

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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.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

paramecium - any member of the genus Paramecium   paramecia 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