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n. pl. par·a·me·ci·a (-sē-ə, -shē-ə) or par·a·me·ci·ums Any of various slipper-shaped freshwater ciliate protozoans of the genus Paramecium, having an oral groove for feeding. [New Latin Paramēcium, genus name, from Greek paramēkēs, oblong in shape : para-, alongside; see PARA-1 + mēkos, length; see māk- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]  (click for a larger image) paramecium |
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