animalcule
(ænɪˈmælkjʊl)
Also 6–7 animalcle.
[ad. L. animalcul-um, dim. of animal: see -cule. Cf. mod.Fr. animalcule. Formerly often used in the L. form, of which the pl. animalcula is still frequent in scientific use. (By the ignorant the latter is sometimes made a sing. with pl. animalculæ.)]
† 1. A small or tiny animal; formerly applied to small vertebrates, such as mice, and all invertebrates.
| 1599 A. M. tr. Gabelhouer's Bk. Physic 131/1 For the Laske..Boyle the Liver of any animalcle, decocte the same, and cause him to eate therof. 1662 More Antid. Ath. ii. xii. (1712) 79 The assault of Flies and Gnats, and such like bold Animalcula. 1691 Ray Creation i. (1704) 168 The catching of these Animalcules [Beetles]. 1718 J. Chamberlayne Relig. Philos. III. xxv. §10 The next biggest Animalculum or Insect. 1728 G. Carleton Mem. Eng. Officer 234 The horrid Desolation which attended the Visitation of those Animalcula [locusts]. 1831 Carlyle Sart. Res. (1858) 121 The basest of created animalcules, the Spider. |
2. An animal so small as to be visible only with the aid of the microscope; applied chiefly to the Rotifera and Infusoria.
| 1677 Phil. Trans. XII. 821 These animalcula or living Atoms did move. 1713 Derham Phys. Theol. 9 The Animalcules in Pepper-Water. 1722 Wollaston Relig. Nat. v. 89 If the semina, out of which animals are produced, are (as I doubt not) animalcula already formed. 1745 T. Needham Microsc. Disc. Introd. 3 The minutest microscopical Animalcule. 1748 Sir J. Hill Hist. Anim. 2 (Jod.), I have added some unknown species to the animalcule kingdom. 1835 Kirby Hab. & Inst. Anim. I. iv. 149 The infusories,..also called animalcules, microscopic animals. 1862 Sir H. Holland Ess. 84 The appearance of animalcule life in various artificial compounds. 1876 Page Advd. Text-bk. Geol. iii. 67 The coral animalcule rears its polypidom. |