noun
amoeba
uh-MEE-buh/əˈmiːbə/
A single-celled organism that moves by extending temporary parts of its body.
The amoeba extends part of its body as it moves.
Etymology
The Greek word for ‘change’ names the organism’s constantly changing shape. Its name thus points to the same distinctive feature involved in its movement.
In context
the tentacle is almost completely detached and is only connected to the cell by a single string the amoeba pulls it back and the detached limb reattaches seamlessly
More examples
- We watched an amoeba move under the microscope.
- The sample contained several amoebae.
- The amoeba changed shape as it crossed the field of view.
Forms
amoeba · amoebas · amoebae
Similar words
- paramecium
- A paramecium has a relatively fixed shape and moves using tiny hairs; an amoeba extends parts of its body.
- protozoan
- Protozoan is a broad traditional term for single-celled animal-like organisms, including amoebas.