animalcule

[ an-uh-mal-kyool ]

noun

1. a minute or microscopic animal, nearly or quite invisible to the naked eye, as an infusorian or rotifer.
2. Archaic. a tiny animal, as a mouse or fly.

animalcule

/ ˌænɪˈmælkjuːl; ˌænɪˈmælkjʊləm /

noun

1. a microscopic animal such as an amoeba or rotifer

Derived Forms

• ˌaniˈmalcular, adjective

Other Words From

• an·i·mal·cu·lar [an-, uh, -, mal, -ky, uh, -ler], an·i·mal·cu·line [an-, uh, -, mal, -ky, uh, -lin], ani·malcu·lous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of animalcule¹

First recorded in 1590–1600, animalcule is from the New Latin word animalculum “a small animal.” See animal, -cule ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of animalcule¹

C16: from New Latin animalculum a small animal

Example Sentences

This is a one-celled animal known as the paramœcium or the slipper animalcule (because of its shape).

From Project Gutenberg

Indeed, too sadly so, and I dare apply but a flash of the microscope to the rageing dilemmas of this animalcule.

From Project Gutenberg

These movements are termed amoebiform, because they quite resemble the movements of a small animalcule which is named amoeba.

From Project Gutenberg

Shall physical or chemical forces explain why the animalcule digs into the hard clay?

From Project Gutenberg

At one end of the ascending scale of organic life we see an animalcule swimming in the direction in which it is attracted by food.

From Project Gutenberg