Animalcule
a minute or microscopic animal, nearly or quite invisible to the naked eye, as an infusorian or rotifer.
Archaic. a tiny animal, as a mouse or fly.
Historical Examples
Indeed, too sadly so, and I dare apply but a flash of the microscope to the rageing dilemmas of this animalcule.
Rhoda Fleming, Complete George Meredith
His first form is that which is permanent in the animalcule.
A Theory of Creation: A Review of ‘Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation’ Francis Bowen
That animalcule there, in the pea-jacket, is Louis Philippe, just landed on the coast of England.
The Biglow Papers James Russell Lowell
But man contemplates the universe as an animalcule would an elephant.
Zanoni Edward Bulwer Lytton
An animalcule that does not wriggle must be morbid or peculiar.
The Daughters of Danaus Mona Caird
The microscope cannot find the animalcule which is less perfect for being little.
Essays, First Series Ralph Waldo Emerson
What is the essential difference between the action of the animalcule and that of the martyr?
Parallel Paths Thomas William Rolleston
In the light of such a rle the animalcule takes on a new interest.
A History of Science, Volume 5(of 5) Henry Smith Williams
animalcule (an-i-malkūl), a general name given to many forms of animal life from their minute size.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 2 Various
Before taking leave of the animalcule, let us devote a few lines to its instinct.
The Life of the Fly J. Henri Fabre
noun (pl) -cules, -cula (-kjʊlə)
a microscopic animal such as an amoeba or rotifer
n.
“very small animal,” especially a microscopic one, 1590s, from Late Latin animalculum, diminutive of Latin animal (see animal (n.)). Related: Animalcular.
Read Also:
- Animalculous
a minute or microscopic animal, nearly or quite invisible to the naked eye, as an infusorian or rotifer. Archaic. a tiny animal, as a mouse or fly. noun (pl) -cules, -cula (-kjʊlə) a microscopic animal such as an amoeba or rotifer n. “very small animal,” especially a microscopic one, 1590s, from Late Latin animalculum, diminutive […]
- Animalia
the taxonomic kingdom comprising all animals. Historical Examples Et quamvis dicta Animalia hominibus subjecta esse dicantur ut habetur Ecclesiast: 17. The Criminal Prosecution and Capital Punishment of Animals Edmund P. Evans In the above table all vaccae, Animalia and Animalia ociosa are reckoned in the third column. Domesday Book and Beyond Frederic William Maitland Thus, […]
- Animalian
any member of the kingdom Animalia, comprising multicellular organisms that have a well-defined shape and usually limited growth, can move voluntarily, actively acquire food and digest it internally, and have sensory and nervous systems that allow them to respond rapidly to stimuli: some classification schemes also include protozoa and certain other single-celled eukaryotes that have […]
- Animalic
any member of the kingdom Animalia, comprising multicellular organisms that have a well-defined shape and usually limited growth, can move voluntarily, actively acquire food and digest it internally, and have sensory and nervous systems that allow them to respond rapidly to stimuli: some classification schemes also include protozoa and certain other single-celled eukaryotes that have […]
- Animalize
to excite the passions of; brutalize; sensualize. Fine Arts. to represent in form or endow with features. Historical Examples Then to animalize a substance, is only to destroy the obstacles that prevent its being active or sensible. The System of Nature, Volume 1 Paul Henri Thiery (Baron D’Holbach) verb (transitive) to rouse to brutality or […]