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zooxanthella

noun zo·o·xan·thel·la \ ˌzō-ə-zan-ˈthe-lə \
Updated on: 28 Feb 2018
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Definition of zooxanthella

plural zooxanthellae play \ˌzō-ə-zan-ˈthe-(ˌ)lē\
: any of various symbiotic dinoflagellates that live within the cells of other organisms (such as reef-building coral polyps)

Origin and Etymology of zooxanthella

New Latin, from zo- + xanth- + -ella (diminutive suffix)

Learn More about zooxanthella

  1. Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about zooxanthella

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