n.
Pronunciation: ˌ pa-r ə - ' m ē -sh( ē -) ə m, -s ē - ə m
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -cia \ -sh( ē -) ə , -s ē - ə \ also -ciums
Etymology: New Latin, from Greek param ē k ē s oblong, from para- + m ē kos length; akin to Greek makros longitude ― more at MEAGER
Date: 1752
: any of a genus ( Paramecium ) of ciliate chiefly freshwater protozoans that have an elongate body rounded at the anterior end and an oblique funnel-shaped buccal groove bearing the mouth at the extremity