flagellum Hear it!

flagellum definition

fla·gel·lum (flə jeləm)

noun pl. flagella -·la () or flagellums -·lums

  1. a whip
  2. 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
  3. Bot. a threadlike shoot or runner
  4. Zool. the terminal, lashlike portion of the antenna in many insects

Etymology: L, a whip: see flagellate

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