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peritrichous

American  
[puh-ri-tri-kuhs] / pəˈrɪ trɪ kəs /

adjective

  1. (of bacteria) having a uniform distribution of flagella over the body surface.

  2. (of certain protozoans) having cilia arranged spirally around the mouth.

Etymology

Origin of peritrichous

1875–80; peri- + -trichous < Greek -trichos -haired; -tricha, -ous

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

For instance, B. megatherium and B. subtilis pass in a few hours after commencement of growth from a motile stage with peritrichous cilia, into one of filamentous growth preceded by casting of the cilia.

From Project Gutenberg

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.