Definition

Having tiny hair-like structures called cilia on the surface, which can help in movement or sensing the environment.

Example

The ciliate organism moved swiftly through the water using its hair-like projections.

Conversation

Did you know that some tiny organisms are ciliate?

Really? I had no idea what that meant until now.

Yeah, they have little hair-like structures that help them move.

That's pretty cool! I love learning about biology.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Definition

A type of single-celled organism that has tiny hair-like structures called cilia, which help it move and feed.

Example

The ciliate moved swiftly through the water using its cilia to propel itself.

Conversation

Have you ever seen a ciliate under a microscope?

No, I haven't! What do they look like?

They're really fascinating; they have tiny hair-like structures that help them move.

Root Explanation

Ciliate is formed from "cilium" (from Latin, meaning eyelash or small hair) and the suffix "-ate" (meaning to make or to become). The word "ciliate" refers to something that has small hair-like structures, resembling eyelashes, often used in biological contexts to describe certain types of cells or organisms that possess cilia.

Memory Tip

Think of 'cilium' meaning eyelash, which helps you remember that 'ciliate' refers to something that has small hair-like structures, similar to eyelashes.

Visually Confused Words