Paramecium

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /parəˈmiːsɪəm/

Origin

From Ancient Greek παραμήκης (paramēkēs, "oval"), from μῆκος (mēkos, "length").

Full definition of paramecium

Noun

1. (zoology) An oval-shaped protozoan organism of the genus .
• 1983, Robert Drewe, The Bodysurfers, Penguin 2009, p. 144:The sun beats on his eyelids; inside them a paramecium revolves. A blink and it changes pattern like a kaleidoscope.
• 1997, Don DeLillo, Underworld (DeLillo novel), 2003 edition, ISBN 0684848155, page 560 http://google.com/books?id=Ug3ArDMHLnQC&pg=RA1-PA560&dq=paramecia:Edgar noticed that Clyde was wearing a necktie with a driblet design. The little figures made him think of paramecia, sinister organisms with gullets and feeding grooves.

Synonyms

• slipper animalcule