plasmodium

[ plaz-moh-dee-uh m ]
/ plæzˈmoʊ di əm /

noun, plural plas·mo·di·a [plaz-moh-dee-uh] /plæzˈmoʊ di ə/.

Biology. an ameboid, multinucleate mass or sheet of cytoplasm characteristic of some stages of organisms, as of myxomycetes or slime molds.
any parasitic protozoan of the genus Plasmodium, causing malaria in humans.

Origin of plasmodium

From New Latin, dating back to 1870–75; see origin at plasm-, -ode1, -ium

OTHER WORDS FROM plasmodium

plas·mo·di·al, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for plasmodium

British Dictionary definitions for plasmodium

plasmodium
/ (plæzˈməʊdɪəm) /

noun plural -dia (-dɪə)

an amoeboid mass of protoplasm, containing many nuclei: a stage in the life cycle of certain organisms, esp the nonreproductive stage of the slime moulds
any parasitic sporozoan protozoan of the genus Plasmodium, such as P. falciparum and P. vivax, which cause malaria

Derived forms of plasmodium

plasmodial, adjective

Word Origin for plasmodium

C19: New Latin; see plasma, -ode 1

Medical definitions for plasmodium (1 of 2)

plasmodium
[ plăz-mōdē-əm ]

n. pl. plas•mo•di•a (-dē-ə)

A multinucleate mass of cytoplasm formed by the aggregation of a number of amoeboid cells, as that characteristic of the vegetative phase of the slime molds.
A protozoan of the genus Plasmodium, which includes the parasites that cause malaria.

Medical definitions for plasmodium (2 of 2)

Plasmodium

n.

A genus of protozoans that are parasites of the red blood cells of vertebrates and include the causative agents of malaria.

Scientific definitions for plasmodium

plasmodium
[ plăz-mōdē-əm ]

Plural plasmodia

A mass of protoplasm having many cell nuclei but not divided into separate cells. It is formed by the combination of many amoeba-like cells and is characteristic of the active, feeding phase of certain slime molds.
Any of various single-celled organisms (called protozoans) that exist as parasites in vertebrate animals, one of which causes malaria.