multiflagellated
|mul-ti-flag-el-lat-ed|
/ˌmʌltiˈflædʒəleɪtɪd/
(multiflagellate)
having many flagella
Etymology
'multiflagellated' originates from Latin elements: the prefix 'multi-' (from Latin 'multus') meaning 'many' and 'flagellum' meaning 'whip', combined with the English past-participial/adjectival suffix '-ed'.
'flagellum' (Latin) gave rise to New Latin and English formations such as 'flagellate' (from Medieval/Modern Latin 'flagellatus'/'flagellare'), which in biological contexts came to mean 'to bear a flagellum'. The prefix 'multi-' was attached to form 'multiflagellate', and the past-participial/adjectival form became 'multiflagellated'.
Originally related to 'whip' or 'to whip' (Latin 'flagellum' and related verb forms), the term 'flagellate' shifted in scientific usage to refer to bearing flagella; consequently, 'multiflagellated' now means 'having multiple flagella'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
past tense or past participle form of 'multiflagellate'.
During observation, the cells were multiflagellated.
Adjective 1
having multiple flagella; bearing more than one flagellum (used especially in biology to describe cells or microorganisms with several whip-like appendages used for movement).
A multiflagellated protozoan propelled itself rapidly through the pond water using its many flagella.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/06 22:44