noun
paramecium
pair-uh-MEE-see-um/pˌɛrʌmˈisiʌm/
A single-celled freshwater organism covered with tiny hairlike structures used for movement.
A paramecium swims through pond water by beating its tiny hairs.
Etymology
The elements for “on one side” and “length” formed a Greek adjective meaning “oblong” or “oval.” The organism’s name refers to its elongated shape, also reflected in its nickname “slipper-animalcule.”
In context
Paramecium is a genus of unicellular ciliates these single celled protists are naturally found in aquatic habitats paramecia are typically oblong or slipper shaped and are covered with short hairy structures called cilia
More examples
- Under the microscope, the paramecium looks like a tiny slipper.
- A paramecium feeds on bacteria and other small organisms.
- Several paramecia move through the drop of freshwater.
Forms
paramecium · paramecia · parameciums
Similar words
- ciliate
- A broader term for single-celled organisms covered with cilia.
- protozoan
- A broader term that includes organisms without hairlike cilia.