Subscriber login


Forgot your password?

Library card login

Other

flagellum

Syllabification: (fla·gel·lum)
Pronunciation: /ˌfləˈjeləm/
Definition of flagellum

noun (plural flagella /-ˈjelə/)

Biology
  • a slender threadlike structure, especially a microscopic whiplike appendage that enables many protozoa, bacteria, spermatozoa, etc., to swim.

Derivatives

flagellar

Pronunciation: /fləˈjelər, ˈflajələr/
adjective

Origin:

early 19th century (denoting a whip or scourge): from Latin, diminutive of flagrum 'scourge'

flagellum in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of flagellum in the British & World English dictionary

Nearby words

  |  Cite

More words in this category

Word of the day

ludology

/ luːˈdɒlədʒi /
noun
the study of games and gaming, especially video games …