protist

pro·tist

noun \ˈprō-(ˌ)tist\

Definition of PROTIST

: any of a diverse taxonomic group and especially a kingdom (Protista syn. Protoctista) of eukaryotic organisms that are unicellular and sometimes colonial or less often multicellular and that typically include the protozoans, most algae, and often some fungi (as slime molds)

— pro·tis·tan \prō-ˈtis-tən\ adjective or noun

Origin of PROTIST

New Latin Protista, from Greek, neuter plural of prōtistos very first, primal, from superl. of prōtos first — more at prot-

First Known Use: 1889

Rhymes with PROTIST

A-list, assist, backlist, blacklist, B-list, checklist, consist, dean's list, delist, desist, encyst, enlist, entwist, exist, handlist, hit list, insist, life list, mailed fist, persist, playlist, Rehnquist, resist, short list, short-list, subsist, untwist, wait-list, white list, wish list

pro·tist

noun \ˈprōt-əst, ˈprō-ˌtist\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of PROTIST

: any of a diverse taxonomic group and especially a kingdom (Protista synonym Protoctista) of eukaryotic organisms that are unicellular and sometimes colonial or less often multicellular and that typically include the protozoans, most algae, and often some fungi (as slime molds)

—pro·tis·tan \prō-ˈtis-tən\ (audio pronunciation) adjective or noun

protist

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any member of a kingdom (Protista) of diverse eukaryotes, including algae, protozoans, and lower fungi (see fungus). Most are single-celled organisms, though the algae tend to be multicellular. Many can move, mainly by using flagella (see flagellum), cilia (see cilium), or footlike extensions (pseudopodia). The kingdom was developed to accommodate intermediate organisms that, even though they possessed some plant or animal characteristics, did not exhibit the specialized features indicative of those groups. Some protists are considered the ancestors of multicellular plants, animals, and fungi. The term was first suggested in 1866 by Ernst Haeckel. With the development of advanced biochemical, genetic, and imaging techniques, previously established relationships have come under scrutiny, and it is now thought that some groups are less closely related to one another than once believed. As a result, the classification of protists, while convenient, is no longer entirely satisfactory.