First Known Use: 1752
Dictionary
paramecium
noun par·a·me·cium \ˌpa-rə-ˈmē-sh(ē-)əm, -sē-əm\
plural par·a·me·cia\-sh(ē-)ə, -sē-ə\ also par·a·me·ciums
Definition of PARAMECIUM
: any of a genus (Paramecium) of ciliate chiefly freshwater protozoans that have an elongate body rounded at the anterior end and an oblique funnel-shaped buccal groove bearing the mouth at the extremity
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Origin of PARAMECIUM
New Latin, from Greek paramēkēs oblong, from para- + mēkos length; akin to Greek makros long — more at meager
PARAMECIUM Defined for Kids
paramecium
noun par·a·me·cium \ˌper-ə-ˈmē-shē-əm, -sē-əm\
plural par·a·me·cia \-shē-ə, -sē-ə\ also par·a·me·ciums
Definition of PARAMECIUM for Kids
: a tiny living thing found in water that is a single cell shaped like a slipper and moves by means of cilia
Medical Dictionary
paramecium
noun par·a·me·cium \ˌpar-ə-ˈmē-sh(ē-)əm, -sē-əm\
Medical Definition of PARAMECIUM
1
capitalized : a genus of ciliate protozoans that have an elongate body rounded at the anterior end and an oblique funnel-shaped buccal groove bearing the mouth at the extremity
2
plural par·a·me·cia \-sh(ē-)ə, -sē-ə\ also par·a·me·ciums : any ciliate protozoan of the genus Paramecium
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