ectoplasm

[ ek-tuh-plaz-uhm ]

noun

1. Biology. the outer portion of the cytoplasm of a cell. Compare endoplasm.
2. Spiritualism. the supposed emanation from the body of a medium.

ectoplasm

/ ˈɛktəʊˌplæzəm /

noun

1. cytology the outer layer of cytoplasm in some cells, esp protozoa, which differs from the inner cytoplasm in being a clear gel See also endoplasm
2. spiritualism the substance supposedly emanating from the body of a medium during trances

Derived Forms

• ˌectoˈplasmic, adjective

Other Words From

• ecto·plasmic ec·to·plas·mat·ic [ek-t, uh, -plaz-, mat, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ectoplasm¹

First recorded in 1880–85; ecto- + -plasm

Example Sentences

Ectoplasm is something I associate, perhaps strangely, with Ghostbusters.

From Popular-Science

The post How sexy Victorian mediums tricked scientists into believing in ectoplasm appeared first on Popular Science.

From Popular-Science

The ectoplasm may have given out or his condition of mind influenced it.

From Project Gutenberg

The general cytoplasm shows no differentiation into ectoplasm and endoplasm; it is uniformly alveolar in character.

From Project Gutenberg

The cytoplasm is very highly differentiated: especially the ectoplasm or ectosarc.

From Project Gutenberg

The diameter is about 50µ; the vacuolated ectoplasm passes gradually into the granular endoplasm.

From Project Gutenberg

In this form (fig. 5) there is no distinction between ectoplasm and endoplasm, and there is an entire absence of vacuoles.

From Project Gutenberg