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archaea

Pronunciation: /ɑːˈkiːə/
Definition of archaea

noun

Biology
  • microorganisms which are similar to bacteria in size and simplicity of structure but radically different in molecular organization. They are now believed to constitute an ancient group which is intermediate between the bacteria and eukaryotes. Also called archaebacteria.

Derivatives

archaean

(also archaeal) adjective & noun

Origin:

modern Latin (plural), from Greek arkhaios 'primitive'

archaea in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of archaea in the US English dictionary