vorticella

noun

vor·ti·cel·la ˌvȯr-tə-ˈse-lə

plural vorticellae ˌvȯr-tə-ˈse-(ˌ)lē

or vorticellas

: any of a genus (Vorticella) of stalked bell-shaped ciliates

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin vortic-, vortex

First Known Use

1787, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of vorticella was in 1787

See more words from the same year

Style

“Vorticella.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vorticella. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.

Copy Citation

vorticella

noun

vor·ti·cel·la ˌvȯrt-ə-ˈsel-ə

plural vorticellae -ˈsel-ē

or vorticellas

: any of a genus of ciliates that look like a bell on the end of a stalk

Get Word of the Day daily email!