flagellate

/'flædʤəleit/

Thân thiện

The biologist observed a flagellate under the microscope.

Definition

1. Verb:

   • To whip or scourge, typically as a form of punishment, penance, or self-mortification. This action involves striking with or as if with a whip.

2. Adjective:

   • Possessing one or more flagella; resembling or shaped like a whip or lash. This term is primarily used in biological contexts to describe certain cells or microorganisms.

3. Noun:

   • A protozoan of the class Mastigophora, characterized by having one or more whip-like appendages (flagella) used for locomotion. Many are free-living, but some are parasitic pathogens.

Usage Examples

• Verb:

  • In some extreme sects, devotees would publicly flagellate themselves as an act of penance.
  • The cruel master threatened to flagellate the prisoner.

• Adjective:

  • Under the microscope, we observed the flagellate bacterium moving rapidly.
  • The flagellate structure of the sperm cell enables its motility.

• Noun:

  • The pond water sample was teeming with various flagellates and other microorganisms.
  • Trypanosomes are pathogenic flagellates that cause sleeping sickness.

Advanced Usage

• "to flagellate oneself": Often used metaphorically to describe engaging in excessive self-criticism or blame.
  • After the failed project, he continued to flagellate himself over every minor mistake.

Variants and Related Words

• Flagellation (n): The act or practice of whipping, especially for religious discipline or sexual arousal.

  • The ritual involved acts of flagellation.

• Flagellum (n): (Plural: Flagella) A long, whip-like appendage that enables many protozoa, bacteria, and sperm cells to swim.

  • The bacterium uses its flagellum to propel itself through liquid.

Synonyms

• Verb: Whip, scourge, lash, flog, beat.
• Noun: Mastigophoran (technical term).

Related Phrasal Verbs

(This word does not commonly form standard phrasal verbs. The verb is typically used transitively with a direct object.)

Related Idioms

(There are no common idioms directly centered on the word "flagellate." The metaphorical use "to flagellate oneself" is the closest expression.)

Học thuật

Adjective

1. having or resembling a lash or whip (as does a flagellum)

Noun

1. a usually nonphotosynthetic free-living protozoan with whiplike appendages; some are pathogens of humans and other animals

Verb

1. whip
   • The religious fanatics flagellated themselves

Từ đồng nghĩa

• flagellated
• whiplike
• lash-like
• flagellate protozoan
• flagellated protozoan
• mastigophoran
• mastigophore
• scourge