[ ju:'karɪəʊt ]
(also eucaryote )
■ noun Biology an organism consisting of a cell or cells in which the genetic material is DNA in the form of chromosomes contained within a distinct nucleus (that is, all living organisms other than the bacteria and archaea). Compare with prokaryote .
Derivatives
eukaryotic adjective
Origin
1960s: from eu- + karyo- + -ote as in zygote .