Pseudopodia
/ˌsuːdəˈpoʊdiə/noun
Temporary, arm-like projections of a cell’s cytoplasm used for movement and feeding.
Did you know?Pseudopodia comes from Greek roots meaning “false feet,” and the same *pseud-* root also lives in words like *pseudo*, *pseudonym*, and *pseudoscience*—all carrying the old idea of something that only appears real.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Grk
ψευδής (pseudḗs)
“false, lying, deceptive”
Ancient Greek
Grk
πούς, ποδός (poús, podós)
“foot”
Modern Scientific Latin
Lat
pseudopodia
“false feet; temporary cell projections”
19th Century
English
pseudopodia
“the temporary protoplasmic projections used by amoeboid cells for movement and feeding”
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