protoctist

pro·toc·tist  (pr-tktst)

n.

Any of various unicellular eukaryotic organisms and their multicellular, coenocytic, or colonial descendants that belong to the kingdom Protoctista according to some taxonomic systems. The protoctists include the protozoans, slime molds, various algae, and other groups. In many new classification systems, all protoctists are considered to be protists.

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[From New Latin Prtoctista, kingdom name : Greek prto-, proto- + Greek ktistos, produced, created (from ktizein, to create, establish; see tkei- in Indo-European roots).]

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protoctist [prəʊˈtɒktɪst]

n

(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biology) (in modern biological classifications) any unicellular or simple multicellular organism belonging to the kingdom Protoctista, which includes protozoans, algae, and slime moulds

[from New Latin protoctista, perhaps from Greek prototokos first born]

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protoctist  (pr-tktst)

See protist.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

protoctist - any of the unicellular protists       micro-organism, microorganism - any organism of microscopic size kingdom Protoctista, Protoctista - in most modern classifications, replacement for the Protista; includes: Protozoa; Euglenophyta; Chlorophyta; Cryptophyta; Heterokontophyta; Rhodophyta; unicellular protists and their descendant multicellular organisms: regarded as distinct from plants and animals protozoan, protozoon - any of diverse minute acellular or unicellular organisms usually nonphotosynthetic alga, algae - primitive chlorophyll-containing mainly aquatic eukaryotic organisms lacking true stems and roots and leaves