vorticella

[ vawr-tuh-sel-uh ]

noun

, plural vor·ti·cel·lae [vawr-t, uh, -, sel, -ee], vor·ti·cel·las.

1. any ciliated protozoan of the genus Vorticella, having a transparent, bell-shaped body with a retractile stalk.

vorticella

/ ˌvɔːtɪˈsɛlə /

noun

1. any protozoan of the genus Vorticella, consisting of a goblet-shaped ciliated cell attached to the substratum by a long contractile stalk

Word History and Origins

Origin of vorticella¹

From New Latin, dating back to 1780–90; vortex, -ella

Word History and Origins

Origin of vorticella¹

C18: from New Latin, literally: a little eddy, from vortex