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dinoflagellate

(dī′nō flaj′ə lit, -lāt′)

noun

any of a class (Dinophyceae) of single-celled algae (division Chromophycota), mainly marine and often with a cellulose shell: some species are luminescent, and some cause the red tides that are extremely toxic to marine life: also classified in a class (Dinoflagellata) of protozoans

Origin: < ModL Dinoflagellata < Gr dinos, rotation (< IE base *deye-, to swing, whirl > OIr dīan, swift) + ModL flagellum (see flagellum) + -ata, L, neut. pl. of -atus: see -ate

See dinoflagellate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Any of numerous minute, chiefly marine protozoans of the order Dinoflagellata, characteristically having two flagella and a cellulose covering and forming one of the chief constituents of plankton. They include bioluminescent forms and forms that produce red tide.

Origin:

Origin: From New Latin Dīnoflagellāta, class name

Origin: : Greek dīnos, whirling (from dīnein, to whirl)

Origin: + Latin flagellum, flagellum; see flagellum

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