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• zoa
  zoa

  noun

  plural of zoon.
• -zoa
  -zoa

  a combining form meaning “animals,” “organisms” of the kind specified by the initial element, used in the names of classes in zoology.

zoa

¹ American  

[zoh-uh] / ˈzoʊ ə /

noun

1. plural of zoon.

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-zoa ² American  

1. a combining form meaning “animals,” “organisms” of the kind specified by the initial element, used in the names of classes in zoology.

   Protozoa.

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-zoa ¹ British  

suffix

1. indicating groups of animal organisms

   Metazoa

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zoa ² British  

/ ˈzəʊə /

noun

1. the plural of zoon

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Usage

What does -zoa mean? The combining form -zoa is used like a suffix meaning “animals” or "organisms." It is occasionally used in scientific terms, particularly to name classes in zoology. In zoology, class has a specific meaning that refers to taxonomy. The form -zoa comes from Greek zôia, meaning “animals.” The word zoo also ultimately comes from this Greek root. Zoo is shortened from zoological garden. What are variants of -zoa?While -zoa doesn't have any variants, it is related to the form -zoon, which is the singular form of -zoa, as in protozoon. When combined as a prefix, -zoa becomes zoo- or zo-, as in zooplankton or zooid. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use articles for zoo-, zo-, and -zoon.

Etymology

Origin of -zoa

< New Latin < Greek zôia, plural of zôion animal; see zoon