amoeba
[ uh-mee-buh ]
/ əˈmi bə /
noun, plural a·moe·bas, a·moe·bae [uh-mee-bee] /əˈmi bi/.
Words nearby amoeba
Definition for amoebae (2 of 2)
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, adjectiveExample sentences from the Web for amoebae
You can figure things out in your own little head instead of just getting along on dum psionic luck like us amoebae.
Occasion for Disaster |Gordon Randall GarrettNow, the Amoebae have neither a nervous system nor distinguishable organs of any kind.
The Life of the Bee |Maurice MaeterlinckThe amoebae are almost invariably found in the large intestine; one species, indeed, is termed Amoeba coli.
Studies on some Amoebae from the termite Mirotermes, with notes on some other protozoa from the Termitidae.
The Biotic Associations of Cockroaches |Louis M. Roth
British Dictionary definitions for amoebae (1 of 2)
Derived forms of ameba
amebic, adjectiveBritish Dictionary definitions for amoebae (2 of 2)
amoeba
US ameba
/ (əˈmiːbə) /
noun plural -bae (-biː) or -bas
any protozoan of the phylum Rhizopoda, esp any of the genus Amoeba, able to change shape because of the movements of cell processes (pseudopodia). They live in fresh water or soil or as parasites in man and animals
Derived forms of amoeba
amoebic or US amebic, adjectiveWord Origin for amoeba
C19: from New Latin, from Greek
amoibē change, from
ameibein to change, exchange
Medical definitions for amoebae (1 of 3)
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.
Medical definitions for amoebae (2 of 3)
amoeba
[ ə-mē′bə ]
n.
Variant ofameba
Medical definitions for amoebae (3 of 3)
Amoeba
[ ə-mē′bə ]
n. pl. a•moe•bas
A genus of protozoa of the class Sarcodina or Rhizopoda.
Any of several genera of protozoa that are parasitic in humans, especially Entamoeba.
Scientific definitions for amoebae (1 of 2)
amoeba
[ ə-mē′bə ]
Plural amoebas amoebae (ə-mē′bē)
Any of various one-celled aquatic or parasitic protozoans of the genus Amoeba or related genera, having no definite form and consisting of a mass of protoplasm containing one or more nuclei surrounded by a flexible outer membrane. Amoebas move by means of pseudopods.
Scientific definitions for amoebae (2 of 2)
ameba
[ ə-mē′bə ]
Another spelling of amoeba.
Cultural definitions for amoebae
amoeba
[ (uh-mee-buh) ]
An animal composed of only one cell that has no fixed shape. It is the best known of the single-celled animals, or protozoa.
notes for amoeba
The term
amoeba is sometimes used to refer to something with an indefinite, changeable shape.