tetrahymena

noun

tet·​ra·​hy·​me·​na ˌte-trə-ˈhī-mə-nə 

: any of a genus (Tetrahymena) of ciliate protozoans

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from tetra- + Greek hymēn membrane

First Known Use

1962, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

tetrahymena

noun

tet·​ra·​hy·​me·​na -ˈhī-mə-nə 

1

capitalized : a genus of free-living ciliate protozoans much used for genetic and biochemical research

2

: any ciliate protozoan of the genus Tetrahymena