Adjacent Words

Volvox definitions

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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: type genus of the Volvocaceae; minute pale green flagellates occurring in tiny spherical colonies; minute flagella rotate the colony about an axis [syn: Volvox, genus Volvox]

Merriam Webster's

noun Etymology: New Latin, from Latin volvere to roll Date: 1798 any of a genus (Volvox) of flagellated unicellular green algae that form spherical colonies

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Volvox Vol"vox, n. (Bot.) A genus of minute, pale-green, globular, organisms, about one fiftieth of an inch in diameter, found rolling through water, the motion being produced by minute colorless cilia. It has been considered as belonging to the flagellate Infusoria, but is now referred to the vegetable kingdom, and each globule is considered a colony of many individuals. The commonest species is Volvox globator, often called globe animalcule.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Animalcule An`i*mal"cule, n. [As if fr. a L. animalculum, dim. of animal.] 1. A small animal, as a fly, spider, etc. [Obs.] --Ray. 2. (Zo["o]l.) An animal, invisible, or nearly so, to the naked eye. See Infusoria. Note: Many of the so-called animalcules have been shown to be plants, having locomotive powers something like those of animals. Among these are Volvox, the Desmidiac[ae], and the siliceous Diatomace[ae]. Spermatic animalcules. See Spermatozoa.