protozoan, a. and n.
(prəʊtəʊˈzəʊən)
[f. as prec. + -an.]
A. adj. Of or belonging to the Protozoa or a protozoon; also = prec. B. n. An animal of the division Protozoa; a protozoon.
| 1864 Dana in Webster s.v., The protozoans..include the rhizopods, sponges, and many of the so-called animalcules. 1888 Rolleston & Jackson Anim. Life 822 Conjugation..is generally if not universally connected with reproductive activity in some Protozoan classes. 1901 Westm. Gaz. 30 Mar. 6/2 His contention is that the organism of cancer is undoubtedly a protozoan. 1904 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 17 Sept. 656 As to the nature of this new protozoan disease. |