1.
[syn: animalcule, animalculum]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Animalcule \An`i*mal"cule\, n. [As if fr. a L. animalculum, dim.
of animal.]
1. A small animal, as a fly, spider, etc. [Obs.] --Ray.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Zool.) An animal, invisible, or nearly so, to the naked
eye. See Infusoria.
[1913 Webster]
Note: Many of the so-called animalcules have been shown to be
plants, having locomotive powers something like those
of animals. Among these are Volvox, the
Desmidiac[ae], and the siliceous Diatomace[ae].
[1913 Webster]
Spermatic animalcules. See Spermatozoa.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
animalcule
n 1: microscopic organism such as an amoeba or paramecium [syn:
animalcule, animalculum]