Infusoria

[in-fyoo-sawr-ee-uh, -sohr-]

plural noun

protozoans of the phylum Ciliophora (or class Ciliata).
(formerly) any of various microscopic organisms found in infusions of decaying organic matter.

Origin of Infusoria

1780–90; < New Latin, neuter plural of infūsōrius. See infuse, -ory¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for infusoria

Historical Examples of infusoria

To-day we also passed a field of "Red Sea," confervæ or infusoria.
Ranching, Sport and Travel
Thomas Carson
With reference to their origin these organisms were called 'Infusoria.
Fragments of science, V. 1-2
John Tyndall
These infusoria can only be distinguished by a most powerful microscope.
A Voyage round the World
W.H.G. Kingston
Infusoria and other unicellular animals multiply by division.
The Beauties of Nature
Sir John Lubbock
The presence of infusoria in immense numbers is one of the reasons for this.
The Book of the Aquarium and Water Cabinet
Shirley Hibberd