tetrahymena

noun tet·ra·hy·me·na \ˌte-trə-ˈhī-mə-nə\

Definition of TETRAHYMENA

: any of a genus (Tetrahymena) of ciliate protozoans

New Latin, from tetra- + Greek hymēn membrane

First Known Use: 1962

Medical Dictionary

noun tet·ra·hy·me·na \-ˈhī-mə-nə\

capitalized : a genus of free-living ciliate protozoans much used for genetic and biochemical research

: any ciliate protozoan of the genus Tetrahymena

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