syncytium

[ sin-sish-uhm, -ee-uhm ]

noun,plural syn·cy·tia [sin-sish-uh, -sish-ee-uh]. /sɪnˈsɪʃ ə, -ˈsɪʃ i ə/. Biology.
  1. a multinucleate mass of cytoplasm that is not separated into cells.

Origin of syncytium

1
From New Latin, dating back to 1875–80; see origin at syn-, cyto-, -ium

Other words from syncytium

  • syn·cy·tial [sin-sish-uhl], /sɪnˈsɪʃ əl/, adjective

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British Dictionary definitions for syncytium

syncytium

/ (sɪnˈsɪtɪəm) /


nounplural -cytia (-ˈsɪtɪə)
  1. zoology a mass of cytoplasm containing many nuclei and enclosed in a cell membrane

Origin of syncytium

1
C19: New Latin; see syn-, cyto-, -ium

Derived forms of syncytium

  • syncytial, adjective

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