vorticella

[vawr-tuh-sel-uh]

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.

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

Historical Examples of vorticella

A species of Vorticella was probably the first Protozoan that was ever observed.
Insects and Diseases
Rennie W. Doane
"On the whole—yes," said Vorticella, in a tone of concession.
Impressions of Theophrastus Such
George Eliot
Your amœba or vorticella, as the case may be, splits in two.
Certain Personal Matters
H. G. Wells
The form and structure of the individuals is not different from Vorticella.
Marine Protozoa from Woods Hole
Gary N. Calkins
Examine a colony of Vorticella in a watch-glass of water or in a drop of water on a glass slide under the microscope.
Elementary Zoology, Second Edition
Vernon L. Kellogg

British Dictionary definitions for vorticella

vorticella

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