radiolarian

[ rey-dee-oh-lair-ee-uhn ]

noun

1. any minute, marine protozoan of the class Radiolaria, or, in some classification schemes, the superclass Actinopoda, having an amebalike body with radiating, filamentous pseudopodia and a usually elaborate outer skeleton.

radiolarian

/ ˌreɪdɪəʊˈlɛərɪən /

noun

1. any of various marine protozoans constituting the order Radiolaria , typically having a siliceous shell and stiff radiating cytoplasmic projections: phylum Actinopoda (actinopods)

radiolarian

/ rā′dē-ō-lâr′ē-ən /

1. Any of various marine protozoans of the group Radiolaria, having rigid skeletons usually made of silica. The skeletons are usually spherically symmetrical and structurally complex, containing elaborate patterns of perforations (through which pseudopods extend) and often spicules. Skeletal remains of radiolarians sink to form ooze on the ocean floor, and prehistoric radiolarian ooze has fossilized to become chert and flint.

Word History and Origins

Origin of radiolarian¹

1875–80; < New Latin Radiolari ( a ) name of the group ( Latin radiol ( us ) a small beam, equivalent to radi ( us ) radius + -olus -ole ¹ + -aria -aria ) + -an

Word History and Origins

Origin of radiolarian¹

C19: from New Latin Radiolaria , from Late Latin radiolus little sunbeam, from Latin radius ray, radius

Example Sentences

And Sirjana correctly spelled puerilely — childish — and radiolarian — a single-celled marine animal having a spherical body with threadlike projections.

From Seattle Times

The survey data also suggests ocean organisms that work together to thrive, such as colonial radiolarians living within giant algae, are more numerous than those that directly compete.

From Scientific American

The researchers were after genetic material from two related groups of marine organisms, the foraminifera and the radiolarians.

From Science Magazine

The shells of deceased diatoms and some radiolarian skeletons are also made of silicon dioxide.

From Scientific American

However, nature’s radiolarian examples are the most stunning instances of icosahedral symmetry and well worth a careful look.

From Scientific American