Pseudopods

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An extension of the cell's membrane and cytoplasm that allows movement and feeding
2. a temporary projection from a cell, especially in amoebas, for locomotion or capturing prey
3. a limb-like feature in certain protozoans that aids in mobility and the intake of nutrients

Etymology: Pseudopods are the temporary "false feet" that amoebas and other protozoans extend from their bodies, flowing out to crawl, grip, and gather food. The word is built from two Greek-derived parts: "pseudo-", from Greek "pseudēs" meaning "false", and "-pod", from Greek "pous" (genitive "podos") meaning "foot". Put together, the name describes exactly what the structure is: a foot that is not a real, permanent foot, but a projection of the cell itself. Because the word is a plain compound of two classical elements, its interest lies less in a surprising twist than in how precisely it fits its object. The same pattern gives us "arthropod" (joint-foot) and "tripod" (three-foot), so readers who know those words already have the key to this one. The plural "pseudopods" is simply the regular English plural of "pseudopod".

Synonyms: false feet