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flagellum
(flə jel′əm)
noun pl. flagella or flagellums
- a whip
- Biol. a whiplike part or process of some cells, esp. of certain bacteria, protozoans, etc., that is an organ of locomotion or produces a current in the surrounding fluid
- Bot. a threadlike shoot or runner
- Zool. the terminal, lashlike portion of the antenna in many insects
Origin: L, a whip: see flagellate
See flagellum in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun pl. fla·gel·la (-jĕlˈə)
- Biology A long, threadlike appendage, especially a whiplike extension of certain cells or unicellular organisms that functions as an organ of locomotion.
- A whip.
Origin:
Origin: Latin
Origin: , diminutive of flagrum, whip
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