Langimage
English

amoebocyte

|a-moe-bo-cyte|

C1

/əˈmiːbəˌsaɪt/

shape-changing cell

Etymology
Etymology Information

'amoebocyte' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'amoibē,' meaning 'change,' and the suffix '-cyte,' meaning 'cell.'

Historical Evolution

'amoibē' transformed into the modern English word 'amoebocyte' through scientific terminology.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'a cell that changes shape,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a type of cell found in certain invertebrates, such as sponges and mollusks, that moves like an amoeba and is involved in various functions like digestion and defense.

Amoebocytes play a crucial role in the immune response of sponges.

Synonyms

Last updated: 2025/07/19 05:21