choanoflagellate

[ koh-uh-noh-flaj-uh-leyt ]

noun

, Zoology.

1. any flagellate of the genera Monosiga and Proterospongia, having a protoplasmic collar encircling the base of the flagellum.

Word History and Origins

Origin of choanoflagellate¹

1895–1900; < New Latin Choanoflagellata name of the order. See choanocyte, flagellata ( def )

Example Sentences

This minute form looked so much like a choanoflagellate that I supposed it to be one until I discovered an empty case (Fig. 8).

From Project Gutenberg