trichocyst

[ trik-uh-sist ]
/ ˈtrɪk əˌsɪst /

noun Zoology.

an organ of offense and defense embedded in the outer cytoplasm of certain protozoans, consisting of a small elongated sac containing a fine, hairlike filament capable of being ejected.

Origin of trichocyst

First recorded in 1850–55; tricho- + cyst

OTHER WORDS FROM trichocyst

trich·o·cyst·ic, adjective

Words nearby trichocyst

trichloronitromethane, trichlorophenoxyacetic acid, tricho-, trichobezoar, trichoclasia, trichocyst, trichodiscoma, trichoepithelioma, trichoglossia, trichogramma, trichogyne

British Dictionary definitions for trichocyst

trichocyst
/ (ˈtrɪkəˌsɪst) /

noun

any of various cavities on the surface of some ciliate protozoans, each containing a sensory thread that can be ejected

Derived forms of trichocyst

trichocystic, adjective