1. plasmodium(n = noun.animal) - multinucleate sheet of cytoplasm characteristic of some stages of such organisms as slime molds;
is a kind of cytol, cytoplasm
2. plasmodium(n = noun.animal) malaria parasite, plasmodium vivax - parasitic protozoan of the genus Plasmodium that causes malaria in humans;
is a kind of sporozoan
is a member of genus plasmodium
1. A jellylike mass of free protoplasm, without any union of amœboid cells, and endowed with life and power of motion. [1913 Webster]
2. A naked mobile mass of protoplasm, formed by the union of several amœbalike young, and constituting one of the stages in the life cycle of Mycetozoa and other low organisms. [1913 Webster]
plasmodium, n. (pl. plasmodia)
1 any parasitic protozoan of the genus Plasmodium, including those causing malaria in man.
2 a form within the life cycle of various micro-organisms including slime moulds, usu. consisting of a mass of naked protoplasm containing many nuclei.
Derivative:
plasmodial adj.
Etymology:
mod.L f. PLASMA(1) + - odium: see -ODE(1)