/mas'ti gof"euhr euh/ , n.
a phylum of protozoans comprising nonphotosynthetic, chiefly free-living flagellates: some species are important pathogens of humans and other animals.
[ mastigophóros whip-bearing, equiv. to mastig-, s. of mástix whip + -o- -O- + -phoros -PHORE. See MASTIGIUM, -PHOROUS ]