n.
Pronunciation: är- ' k ē - ə
Function: noun plural
Etymology: New Latin, from Greek archaios
Date: 1990
: microorganisms of a domain (Archaea) including especially methane-producing forms, some red halophilic forms, and others of harsh hot acidic environments (as a hot spring) ― compare BACTERIUM , EUKARYOTE
– ar · chae · al \ - ə l \ adjective
– ar · chae · an \ - ə n \ adjective or noun