Protozoan
/ˌproʊtəˈzoʊən/noun
A microscopic, usually single-celled organism formerly classified among the protozoans.
Did you know?“Protozoa” was once treated as a formal kingdom of life, but modern genetics shows these organisms come from several unrelated evolutionary branches.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*per-
“Forward; first or foremost—the ancient root behind Greek prōtos.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
prōtos
“First; foremost; earliest.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
zōion
“An animal or living creature.”
1818
German
Protozoa
““First animals,” a taxonomic name introduced for microscopic animal-like organisms.”
19th Century
English
protozoan
“An organism belonging to, or resembling, the protozoa.”
Modern English
English
protozoan
“A traditional term for a microscopic, usually single-celled organism, especially one formerly grouped within Protozoa.”