flagella

[ fluh-jel-uh ]
/ fləˈdʒɛl ə /

noun

a plural of flagellum.

Definition for flagella (2 of 2)

flagellum
[ fluh-jel-uh m ]
/ fləˈdʒɛl əm /

noun, plural fla·gel·la [fluh-jel-uh] /fləˈdʒɛl ə/, fla·gel·lums.

Biology. a long, lashlike appendage serving as an organ of locomotion in protozoa, sperm cells, etc.
Botany. a runner.
Also called clavola. Entomology. (in an antenna) the whiplike portion above the basal joints.
a whip or lash.

Origin of flagellum

1800–10; < Latin: whip, lash, diminutive of flagrum a whip, scourge

Example sentences from the Web for flagella

British Dictionary definitions for flagella

flagellum
/ (fləˈdʒɛləm) /

noun plural -la (-lə) or -lums

biology a long whiplike outgrowth from a cell that acts as an organ of locomotion: occurs in some protozoans, gametes, spores, etc
botany a long thin supple shoot or runner
zoology the terminal whiplike part of an arthropod's appendage, esp of the antenna of many insects

Derived forms of flagellum

flagellar, adjective

Word Origin for flagellum

C19: from Latin: a little whip, from flagrum a whip, lash

Medical definitions for flagella

flagellum
[ flə-jĕləm ]

n. pl. fla•gel•la (-jĕlə)

A threadlike appendage, especially a whiplike extension of certain cells or organisms that functions as an organ of locomotion.

Other words from flagellum

fla•gellar (-jĕlər) adj.

Scientific definitions for flagella

flagellum
[ flə-jĕləm ]

Plural flagella

A slender whiplike part extending from some single-celled organisms, such as the dinoflagellates, that moves rapidly back and forth to impart movement to the organism.