Cytoplasm
/ˈsaɪ.təʊˌplæz.əm/noun
The material within a living cell, excluding the nucleus in eukaryotic cells.
Did you know?Cytoplasm was coined in the 19th century from Greek kytos, meaning a hollow vessel or cell, and plasma, meaning something molded or formed, so the word itself sounds like a kind of living spell of shape-making.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
kytos
“a hollow vessel, cavity, or container”
Ancient Greek
Greek
plasma
“something molded or formed”
19th Century
English
cytoplasm
“the living substance of a cell”
Modern English
English
cytoplasm
“the material within a cell outside the nucleus”
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