pseudopodium

noun

pseu·​do·​po·​di·​um ˌsü-də-ˈpō-dē-əm 

plural pseudopodia ˌsü-də-ˈpō-dē-ə 

1

: a temporary protrusion or retractile process of the cytoplasm of a cell (such as an amoeba or a white blood cell) that functions especially as an organ of locomotion or in taking up food or other particulate matter see amoeba illustration

2

: a slender leafless branch of the gametophyte in various mosses that often bears gemmae

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

pseudopodium

noun

pseu·​do·​po·​di·​um ˌsüd-ə-ˈpōd-ē-əm 

plural pseudopodia -ē-ə 

: an outward extension of part of a cell that is produced by the pressure of moving cytoplasm (as in an amoeba) and that helps to move the cell and to take in its food

Medical Definition

pseudopodium

noun

pseu·​do·​po·​di·​um ˌsüd-ə-ˈpōd-ē-əm 

plural pseudopodia -ē-ə 

1

: a temporary protrusion or retractile process of the cytoplasm of a cell (as an amoeba or a white blood cell) that functions especially as an organ of locomotion or in taking up food or other particulate matter

2

: one of the amoeboid protrusions of the active plasmodium of a slime mold