heliozoan

noun

he·​lio·​zo·​an ˌhē-lē-ə-ˈzō-ən How to pronounce heliozoan (audio)
: any of a class (Heliozoa) of free-living spherical usually freshwater protozoans that reproduce by binary fission or budding

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Heliozoa, from heli- entry 1 + -zoa

First Known Use

circa 1889, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of heliozoan was circa 1889

Dictionary Entries Near heliozoan

Cite this Entry

“Heliozoan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heliozoan. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

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