actinophryan
|ac-ti-noph-ry-an|
C2
/ˌæk.tɪˈnɒf.ri.ən/
ray-like protozoan
Etymology
Etymology Information
'actinophryan' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'aktinos' meaning 'ray' and 'phryne' meaning 'toad'.
Historical Evolution
'actinophryan' was derived from the Greek word 'aktinophrys', which was used to describe organisms with ray-like structures.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it referred to any organism with ray-like structures, but now it specifically refers to a genus of protozoans.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a protozoan of the genus Actinophrys, characterized by its spherical body and radiating pseudopodia.
The actinophryan is often found in freshwater environments.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/04/30 14:06