syncytium

[ sin-sish-uhm, -ee-uhm ]

noun,plural syn·cy·tia

[sin-sish-uh, -sish-ee-uh]. /sɪnˈsɪʃ ə, -ˈsɪʃ i ə/. Biology.

a multinucleate mass of cytoplasm that is not separated into cells.

Origin of syncytium

From New Latin, dating back to 1875–80; see origin at syn-, cyto-, -ium

Other words from syncytium

syn·cy·tial [sin-sish-uhl], /sɪnˈsɪʃ əl/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

British Dictionary definitions for syncytium

syncytium

/ (sɪnˈsɪtɪəm) /

nounplural -cytia (-ˈsɪtɪə)

zoology a mass of cytoplasm containing many nuclei and enclosed in a cell membrane

Origin of syncytium

C19: New Latin; see syn-, cyto-, -ium

Derived forms of syncytium

syncytial, adjective

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

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