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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; see -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 Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Part 1, Slice 2 "Baconthorpe" to "Bankruptcy" by Various

Diagnostic characters: Attached or unattached forma of peritrichous ciliates in which the adoral zone seen from above forms a right-wound spiral.

From Marine Protozoa from Woods Hole Bulletin of the United States Fish Commission 21:415-468, 1901 by Calkins, Gary N. (Gary Nathan)

Rhabdostyla, rab-dō-stī′la, n. a genus of peritrichous ciliate infusorians.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various

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