vorticella

[ vawr-tuh-sel-uh ]

noun

, plural vor·ti·cel·lae [vawr-t, uh, -, sel, -ee], vor·ti·cel·las.

1. any ciliated protozoan of the genus Vorticella, having a transparent, bell-shaped body with a retractile stalk.

vorticella

/ ˌvɔːtɪˈsɛlə /

noun

1. any protozoan of the genus Vorticella, consisting of a goblet-shaped ciliated cell attached to the substratum by a long contractile stalk

Word History and Origins

Origin of vorticella¹

From New Latin, dating back to 1780–90; vortex, -ella

Word History and Origins

Origin of vorticella¹

C18: from New Latin, literally: a little eddy, from vortex

Example Sentences

In another one-celled animal called vorticella, part of the cell has become elongated and is contractile.

From Project Gutenberg

The cilia exist at the anterior end, and extend down a lateral fissure as in Vorticella.

From Project Gutenberg

In some cases the Vorticella assumes the form of a Podophrya (fig. 40), the surface becoming covered with tentacle-like processes.

From Project Gutenberg

Elie set to work with ardour and found that the stalk of the Vorticella had no muscular character.

From Project Gutenberg

Certainly in this case the organism can not be regarded as a Vorticella broken off its stalk, as Kent '81 suspected.

From Project Gutenberg