syncytium

[ sin-sish-uhm, -ee-uhm ]

noun

, Biology.

, plural syn·cy·tia [sin-, sish, -, uh, -, sish, -ee-, uh].

1. a multinucleate mass of cytoplasm that is not separated into cells.

syncytium

/ sɪnˈsɪtɪəm /

noun

1. zoology a mass of cytoplasm containing many nuclei and enclosed in a cell membrane

Derived Forms

• synˈcytial, adjective

Other Words From

• syn·cy·tial [sin-, sish, -, uh, l], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of syncytium¹

From New Latin, dating back to 1875–80; syn-, cyto-, -ium

Word History and Origins

Origin of syncytium¹

C19: New Latin; see syn- , cyto- , -ium

Example Sentences

In the early stages of many arthropods it is certain that the whole embryo is at first an unmistakable syncytium.

From Project Gutenberg

The ovum before segmentation is therefore in the condition of a syncytium.

From Project Gutenberg

The ovum, like that of Eupagurus before segmentation, is now a syncytium.

From Project Gutenberg