amoeba

[uh-mee-buh] /əˈmi bə/
noun, plural amoebas, amoebae
[uh-mee-bee] /əˈmi bi/ (Show IPA)
1.
ameba.
British Dictionary definitions for amoebas

amoeba

/əˈmiːbə/
noun (pl) -bae (-biː), -bas
1.
any protozoan of the phylum Rhizopoda, esp any of the genus Amoeba, able to change shape because of the movements of cell processes (pseudopodia). They live in fresh water or soil or as parasites in man and animals
Derived Forms
amoebic, (US) amebic, adjective
Word Origin
C19: from New Latin, from Greek amoibē change, from ameibein to change, exchange
Word Origin and History for amoebas

amoeba

n.

1855, from Modern Latin Amoeba, genus name (1841), from Greek amoibe "change," related to ameibein "to change, exchange," from PIE *e-meigw-, extended form of root *mei- "to change, go, move" (see mutable). So called for its constantly changing shape. Related: Amoebaean; amoebic.

amoebas in Medicine

amoeba a·moe·ba (ə-mē'bə)
n.
Variant of ameba.

Amoeba A·moe·ba (ə-mē'bə)
n. pl. a·moe·bas or a·moe·bae (-bē)

  1. A genus of protozoa of the class Sarcodina or Rhizopoda.

  2. Any of several genera of protozoa that are parasitic in humans, especially Entamoeba.

amoebas in Science
amoeba
  (ə-mē'bə)   
Plural amoebas or amoebae (ə-mē'bē)
Any of various one-celled aquatic or parasitic protozoans of the genus Amoeba or related genera, having no definite form and consisting of a mass of protoplasm containing one or more nuclei surrounded by a flexible outer membrane. Amoebas move by means of pseudopods.
amoebas in Culture
amoeba [(uh-mee-buh)]

An animal composed of only one cell that has no fixed shape. It is the best known of the single-celled animals, or protozoa.

Note: The term amoeba is sometimes used to refer to something with an indefinite, changeable shape.