Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary thesaurus view recents

Oxytricha

noun
Save Word
Ox·​yt·​ri·​cha | \ äkˈsi‧trə̇kə \

Definition of Oxytricha

: a widely distributed genus (the type of the family Oxytrichidae) of flexible ellipsoidal hypotrichous ciliates with eight frontal, five ventral, and undeveloped caudal cirri — compare stylonychia

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Other Words from Oxytricha

oxytrichid \ -​rə̇kə̇d \ adjective or noun

History and Etymology for Oxytricha

New Latin, from oxy- + -tricha

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about Oxytricha

Statistics for Oxytricha

Cite this Entry

“Oxytricha.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Oxytricha. Accessed 15 December 2019.

Comments on Oxytricha

What made you want to look up Oxytricha? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

delectation

Listen to the pronounciation of delectation

delight or enjoyment

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Great Scrabble Words—A Quiz

  • scrabble tiles that read scrabble quiz
  • Which of the following Q-without-U words means the number five in cards or dice?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Syn City

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games