dinoflagellate

di·no·fla·gel·late

noun \ˌdī-nō-ˈfla-jə-lət, -ˌlāt; -flə-ˈje-lət\

Definition of DINOFLAGELLATE

: any of an order (Dinoflagellata) of chiefly marine planktonic usually solitary unicellular phytoflagellates that include luminescent forms, forms important in marine food chains, and forms causing red tide

Origin of DINOFLAGELLATE

ultimately from Greek dinos rotation, eddy + New Latin flagellum

First Known Use: 1889

di·no·fla·gel·late

noun \ˌdī-nō-ˈflaj-ə-lət, -ˌlāt, -flə-ˈjel-ət\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of DINOFLAGELLATE

: any of the order Dinoflagellata of phytoflagellates

dinoflagellate

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any of numerous one-celled, aquatic organisms that have two dissimilar flagella and characteristics of both plants (algae) and animals (protozoans). Most are microscopic and marine. The group is an important component of phytoplankton in all but the colder seas, and it is an important link in the food chain. Dinoflagellates also produce part of the luminescence sometimes seen in the sea. Under favourable conditions, dinoflagellate populations may reach 60 million organisms per litre of water. Such rapid growths, called blooms, result in the red tides that discolour the sea and poison fish and other marine animals. See also Ceratium.