peritricha

/ pəˈrɪtrɪkə /

plural noun

1. ciliate protozoans, of the order Peritrichida, in which the cilia are restricted to a spiral around the mouth
2. bacteria having the entire cell surface covered with flagella

Derived Forms

• peˈritrichous, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of peritricha¹

C19: from New Latin, from peri- + Greek thrix hair

Example Sentences

Vorticella, vor-ti-sel′a, n. a genus of ciliated Infusorians belonging to the order Peritricha, in which the cilia are restricted to a fringe round the mouth.

From Project Gutenberg

Stein places them with Vorticellids, &c., amongst his Peritricha, which are characterised by a spiral wreath of cilia round the mouth.

From Project Gutenberg