poikilotherm

noun poi·ki·lo·therm \ pȯi-ˈkē-lə-ˌthərm , -ˈki- \

Definition of poikilotherm

: an organism (such as a frog) with a variable body temperature that tends to fluctuate with and is similar to or slightly higher than the temperature of its environment : a cold-blooded organism

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poikilothermic

play \ˌpȯi-kə-lō-ˈthər-mik\ adjective

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Did You Know?

Poikilotherms are also called "ectotherms" or "cold-blooded animals." Such creatures are the thermoregulatory opposites of "endotherms" or "homeotherms" - better known to most of us as "warm-blooded animals" - which are able to maintain a fairly high and constant body temperature relatively independent of the temperature of the surroundings. "Stenotherms" are creatures that can survive only within a very narrow temperature range. The "-therm" in all of these terms comes from the Greek thermē, which means "heat."

Origin and Etymology of poikilotherm

Greek poikilos variegated + International Scientific Vocabulary -therm — more at paint

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First Known Use: 1920

in the meaning defined above

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Medical Dictionary

poikilotherm

noun poi·ki·lo·therm \ ˈpȯi-ki-lə-ˌthərm , (ˌ)pȯi-ˈkil-ə- \

medical Definition of poikilotherm

: an organism (as a frog) with a variable body temperature that is usually slightly higher than the temperature of its environment : a cold-blooded organism — called also heterotherm