poikilothermic

poikilothermic definition - medical

poi·ki·lo·ther·mic (poiˌkə-lō-thûrˈmĭk) or poi·ki·lo·ther·mal (-məl) or poi·ki·lo·ther·mous (-məs)

adjective
  1. Of or relating to an organism having a body temperature that varies with the temperature of its surroundings; cold-blooded.
  2. Capable of existing and growing in media of varying temperatures.

Related Forms:

  • poiˌki·lo·therˈmi·a, poiˌki·lo·therˈmism noun

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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