protozoan

[ proh-tuh-zoh-uh n ]

/ ˌproʊ təˈzoʊ ən /

Biology

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR protozoan ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural pro·to·zo·ans, (especially collectively) pro·to·zo·a [proh-tuh-zoh-uh] /ˌproʊ təˈzoʊ ə/.

any of a diverse group of eukaryotes, of the kingdom Protista, that are primarily unicellular, existing singly or aggregating into colonies, are usually nonphotosynthetic, and are often classified further into phyla according to their capacity for and means of motility, as by pseudopods, flagella, or cilia.

adjective

of, relating to, or characteristic of a protozoan.

Words related to protozoan

cell, flagellate, organism, plasmodium, ameba, euglena, paramecium, ciliate, amoeba, sporozoan, stentor

Words nearby protozoan

prototype, protovertebra, protoxide, protoxylem, protozoa, protozoan, protozoiasis, protozoicide, protozoology, protozoon, protozoophage

Origin of protozoan

First recorded in 1860–65; Protozo(a) + -an

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for protozoan

Of almost equal value have been the researches upon the protozoan forms of animal life, as causes of disease.
The Evolution of Modern Medicine|William Osler
Inside this snail's gut there is a protozoan that lives off the snail's ingested food.
Planet of the Damned|Harry Harrison
This disease is caused by a Protozoan parasite, a trypanosome, which is transmitted from one host to another by the tsetse-fly.
Insects and Diseases|Rennie W. Doane
The shelly agglomerates of these Protozoan Rhizopods constitute now very important rocks.
The World Before the Deluge|Louis Figuier

Although the alg are useful guests, when they become too numerous the protozoan devours them.
Disease and Its Causes|William Thomas Councilman

British Dictionary definitions for protozoan

protozoan

/ (ˌprəʊtəˈzəʊən) /

noun plural -zoa (-ˈzəʊə) or -zoans

Also called: protozoon (ˌprəʊtəˈzəʊɒn) plural -zoa any of various minute unicellular organisms formerly regarded as invertebrates of the phylum Protozoa but now usually classified in certain phyla of protoctists. Protozoans include flagellates, ciliates, sporozoans, amoebas, and foraminifers

adjective Also: protozoic

of or relating to protozoans

Word Origin for protozoan

C19: via New Latin from Greek proto- + zoion animal

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for protozoan

protozoan

[ prō′tə-zō′ən ]

n. pl. pro•to•zo•a (-zō′ə)

Any of a group of single-celled, usually microscopic, eukaryotic organisms, such as amoebas, ciliates, flagellates, and sporozoans.

Other words from protozoan

pro′to•zo′an null null adj.

Science definitions for protozoan

protozoan

[ prō′tə-zō′ən ]

Plural protozoans protozoa

Any of a large group of one-celled organisms (called protists) that live in water or as parasites. Many protozoans move about by means of appendages known as cilia or flagella. Protozoans include the amoebas, flagellates, foraminiferans, and ciliates. Their traditional classification as the subkingdom Protozoa is still used for convenience, but it is now known that protozoans represent several evolutionarily distinct groups. See more at protist.