First Known Use: 1920
Dictionary
poikilotherm
noun poi·ki·lo·therm \pȯi-ˈkē-lə-ˌthərm, -ˈki-\
Definition of POIKILOTHERM
: an organism (as a frog) with a variable body temperature that tends to fluctuate with and is similar to or slightly higher than the temperature of its environment : a cold-blooded organism
— poi·ki·lo·ther·mic \ˌpȯi-kə-lō-ˈthər-mik\ adjective
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Origin of POIKILOTHERM
Greek poikilos variegated + International Scientific Vocabulary -therm — more at paint
Medical Dictionary
poikilotherm
noun poi·ki·lo·therm \ˈpȯi-ki-lə-ˌthərm, (ˌ)pȯi-ˈkil-ə-\
Medical Definition of POIKILOTHERM
: an organism (as a frog) with a variable body temperature that is usually slightly higher than the temperature of its environment : a cold-blooded organism—called also heterotherm
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