RELATED WORDS
Nearby words
amniotic sac, amniotome, amniotomy, amobarbital, amoeba, amoeba, amoebaean, amoebiasis, amoebic, amoebic dysentery, amoebocyte
Definition for amoebae (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
Related formsa·me·ba·like, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for amoebae
You can figure things out in your own little head instead of just getting along on dum psionic luck like us amoebae.
Occasion for Disaster|Gordon Randall GarrettNow, the Amoebae have neither a nervous system nor distinguishable organs of any kind.
The Life of the Bee|Maurice MaeterlinckThe amoebae are almost invariably found in the large intestine; one species, indeed, is termed Amoeba coli.
Studies on some Amoebae from the termite Mirotermes, with notes on some other protozoa from the Termitidae.
The Biotic Associations of Cockroaches|Louis M. Roth
British Dictionary definitions for amoebae (1 of 2)
Derived Formsamebic, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for amoebae (2 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 Formsamoebic or US amebic, adjective
Word Origin for amoeba
C19: from New Latin, from Greek amoibē change, from ameibein to change, exchange
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Medicine definitions for amoebae (1 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.
Medicine definitions for amoebae (2 of 3)
amoeba
[ ə-mē′bə ]
n.
Variant ofameba
Medicine definitions for amoebae (3 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.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Science definitions for amoebae (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.
Science definitions for amoebae (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.
Culture definitions for amoebae
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.
Note
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.