FLAGELLATE

I. transitive verb (-lated; -lating) Etymology: Latin flagellatus, past participle of flagellare, from flagellum, diminutive of flagrum whip; perhaps akin to Old Norse blaka to wave Date: circa 1623 whip , scourge , to drive or punish as if by whipping, II. adjective Etymology: New Latin flagellatus, from flagellum Date: circa 1859 1. having flagella, shaped like a flagellum, of, relating to, or caused by ~s , III. noun Etymology: New Latin Flagellata, class of unicellular organisms, from neuter plural of flagellatus Date: 1879 a ~ protozoan or alga