rotifer
UK[ˈrəʊtɪfə]US[ˈroʊt̬ɪfər]
n
Any of a class (Rotifera) of minute aquatic multicellular animals having a wheel-like ring of cilia at the front end.
Morpheme Breakdown
roti
fer
roti
wheel
fer
bearer
Etymology
The word 'rotifer' is a modern Latin scientific term coined in the late 18th century. It is a direct combination of two Latin roots: rota, meaning "wheel," and ferre, meaning "to bear." The name was given descriptively based on the organism's distinctive morphology. The corona, a crown of rapidly moving cilia at the animal's anterior end, creates a microscopic vortex for feeding, which to early microscopists resembled a rotating wheel. Thus, the literal meaning "wheel-bearer" logically evolved into the modern taxonomic term for these tiny, wheel-carrying aquatic animals.
Analysis
Structure: roti (wheel) + fer (bearer)
- roti: From Latin rota (wheel). In this word, it functions as a combining form meaning "wheel."
- fer: From Latin ferre (to bear, to carry). In this word, it functions as a combining form meaning "bearer" or "carrier."
Examples
Under the microscope, the rotifer's whirling cilia were clearly visible.
Rotifers are important components of freshwater zooplankton.
The scientist studied the remarkable ability of some rotifers to survive extreme desiccation.