Langimage
English

aerocyst

|aer-o-cyst|

C1

🇺🇸

/ˈɛroʊˌsɪst/

🇬🇧

/ˈeərəʊˌsɪst/

gas-filled bladder

Etymology
Etymology Information

'aerocyst' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'aero' meaning 'air' and 'kystis' meaning 'bladder'.

Historical Evolution

'aero' and 'kystis' combined in Greek to form 'aerokystis', which eventually became the modern English word 'aerocyst'.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'air bladder', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a gas-filled bladder or sac, especially in certain algae and aquatic plants, that helps the organism maintain buoyancy.

The seaweed's aerocysts allow it to float near the surface of the water.

Synonyms

Last updated: 2025/05/19 02:06