WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : An`i*mal"cule
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [As if fr. a L. animalculum, dim. of animal.]
Definition : 1. A small animal, as a fly, spider, etc. [Obs.] Ray.

2. (Zo?l.)

Defn: An animal, invisible, or nearly so, to the naked eye. See Infusoria.

Note: Many of the so-called animalcules have been shown to be plants, having locomotive powers something like those of animals. Among these are Volvox, the Desmidiac?, and the siliceous Diatomace?. Spermatic animalcules. See Spermatozoa.


Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913