Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Oxytricha

noun
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

Dictionary Entries near Oxytricha

oxytone

oxytonic

oxytrich

Oxytricha

Oxytropis

oxytylotate

oxytylote

Statistics for Oxytricha

Look-up Popularity

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

substantive

important, real, or meaningful

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Homophone Quiz

  • three-bears-two-of-them-look-like-theyre-whispering-to-a-third-bear-who-looks-chuffed-to-be-the-center-of-attention
  • In order to judge how people felt, the senator's office hired a firm to take a ______.
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Add Diction

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