amoeba
[ uh-mee-buh ]
/ əˈmi bə /
noun, plural a·moe·bas, a·moe·bae [uh-mee-bee] /əˈmi bi/.
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Words nearby amoeba
Definition for amoeba (2 of 2)
ameba
or a·moe·ba
[ uh-mee-buh ]
/ əˈmi bə /
noun, plural a·me·bas, a·me·bae [uh-mee-bee] /əˈmi bi/.
any of numerous freshwater, marine, or parasitic one-celled protozoa of the order Amoebida, characterized by a granular nucleus surrounded by a jellylike mass of cytoplasm that forms temporary extensions, or pseudopodia, by which the organism moves, engulfs food particles, and forms food vacuoles.
a protozoan of the genus Amoeba, inhabiting bottom vegetation of freshwater ponds and streams: used widely in laboratory studies.
Origin of ameba
< New Latin amoeba < Greek amoibḗ change, alternation, akin to ameíbein to exchange
OTHER WORDS FROM ameba
a·me·ba·like, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for amoeba
British Dictionary definitions for amoeba (1 of 2)
amoeba
US ameba
/ (əˈmiːbə) /
noun plural -bae (-biː) or -bas
any protozoan of the phylum Rhizopoda, esp any of the genus Amoeba, able to change shape because of the movements of cell processes (pseudopodia). They live in fresh water or soil or as parasites in man and animals
Derived forms of amoeba
amoebic or US amebic, adjectiveWord Origin for amoeba
C19: from New Latin, from Greek amoibē change, from ameibein to change, exchange
British Dictionary definitions for amoeba (2 of 2)
Derived forms of ameba
amebic, adjectiveCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Medical definitions for amoeba (1 of 3)
amoeba
[ ə-mē′bə ]
n.
Variant ofameba
Medical definitions for amoeba (2 of 3)
Amoeba
[ ə-mē′bə ]
n. pl. a•moe•bas
A genus of protozoa of the class Sarcodina or Rhizopoda.
Any of several genera of protozoa that are parasitic in humans, especially Entamoeba.
Medical definitions for amoeba (3 of 3)
ameba
n. pl. a•me•bas
A protozoa of the genus Amoeba and of related genera, occurring in soil and water and parasitic in animals.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Scientific definitions for amoeba (1 of 2)
amoeba
[ ə-mē′bə ]
Plural amoebas amoebae (ə-mē′bē)
Any of various one-celled aquatic or parasitic protozoans of the genus Amoeba or related genera, having no definite form and consisting of a mass of protoplasm containing one or more nuclei surrounded by a flexible outer membrane. Amoebas move by means of pseudopods.
Scientific definitions for amoeba (2 of 2)
ameba
[ ə-mē′bə ]
Another spelling of amoeba.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for amoeba
amoeba
[ (uh-mee-buh) ]
An animal composed of only one cell that has no fixed shape. It is the best known of the single-celled animals, or protozoa.
notes for amoeba
The term amoeba is sometimes used to refer to something with an indefinite, changeable shape.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.