poikilothermic

Also poi·ki·lo·ther·mal

[poi-kuh-loh-thur-mik, poi-kil-uh-]

adjective

Zoology.

1. cold-blooded (homoiothermal ).

poikilothermic

/ ˌpɔɪkɪləʊˈθɜːməl, ˌpɔɪkɪləʊˈθɜːmɪk /

adjective

1. (of all animals except birds and mammals) having a body temperature that varies with the temperature of the surroundings Compare homoiothermic

Other Word Forms

• poikilothermism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of poikilothermic¹

1880–85; < Greek poikílo ( s ) various + thermic

Word History and Origins

Origin of poikilothermic¹

C19: from Greek poikilos various + _thermal

Example Sentences

At this point people might start to become poikilothermic, research sponsored by the FAA says.

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But mention of a poikilothermic state is not "useful", says Ken Baillie, consultant in intensive care medicine at the University of Edinburgh.

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