ameba
or a·moe·ba
[ uh-mee-buh ]
/ əˈmi bə /
noun, plural a·me·bas, a·me·bae [uh-mee-bee] /əˈmi bi/.
any of numerous freshwater, marine, or parasitic one-celled protozoa of the order Amoebida, characterized by a granular nucleus surrounded by a jellylike mass of cytoplasm that forms temporary extensions, or pseudopodia, by which the organism moves, engulfs food particles, and forms food vacuoles.
a protozoan of the genus Amoeba, inhabiting bottom vegetation of freshwater ponds and streams: used widely in laboratory studies.
Origin of ameba
< New Latin
amoeba < Greek
amoibḗ change, alternation, akin to
ameíbein to exchange
OTHER WORDS FROM ameba
a·me·ba·like, adjectiveWords nearby ameba
amc,
amchitka,
amd,
amdg,
amdt.,
ameba,
amebiasis,
amebic,
amebic abscess,
amebic colitis,
amebic dysentery
British Dictionary definitions for amebae
Derived forms of ameba
amebic, adjectiveMedical definitions for amebae
ameba
n. pl. a•me•bas
A protozoa of the genus Amoeba and of related genera, occurring in soil and water and parasitic in animals.
Scientific definitions for amebae
ameba
[ ə-mē′bə ]
Another spelling of amoeba.