vorticella

[ vawr-tuh-sel-uh ]

/ ˌvɔr təˈsɛl ə /

noun, plural vor·ti·cel·lae [vawr-tuh-sel-ee] /ˌvɔr təˈsɛl i/, vor·ti·cel·las.

any ciliated protozoan of the genus Vorticella, having a transparent, bell-shaped body with a retractile stalk.

Nearby words

vortex shedding, vortex street, vortex vein, vortical, vortically, vorticella, vortices, vorticism, vorticity, vorticose, vortiginous

Origin of vorticella

From New Latin, dating back to 1780–90; see origin at vortex, -ella

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

Examples from the Web for vorticella

"On the whole—yes," said Vorticella, in a tone of concession.
Impressions of Theophrastus Such|George Eliot
"You are probably surprised to see no notices from the London press," said Vorticella.
Impressions of Theophrastus Such|George Eliot
The cilia exist at the anterior end, and extend down a lateral fissure as in Vorticella.
An Elementary Text-book of the Microscope|John William Griffith
Among the remainder of my tiny captives were two beautiful members of the Vorticella family, Epistylis and Carchesium.
Marvels of Pond-life|Henry J. Slack

Elie set to work with ardour and found that the stalk of the Vorticella had no muscular character.
Life of Elie Metchnikoff, 1845-1916|Olga Metchnikoff

British Dictionary definitions for vorticella

vorticella

/ (ˌvɔːtɪˈsɛlə) /

noun plural -lae (-liː)

any protozoan of the genus Vorticella, consisting of a goblet-shaped ciliated cell attached to the substratum by a long contractile stalk

Word Origin for vorticella

C18: from New Latin, literally: a little eddy, from vortex

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