Unicellulars

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of organism consisting of a single cell, which can perform all life processes within that cell
2. Referring to life forms characterized by their singular cellular structure that allows for independent functioning
3. Describing organisms made up of only one cell, capable of carrying out necessary biological functions autonomously

Etymology: Unicellular is a plain scientific compound, built from the Latin prefix "uni-", meaning "one", and "cellular", from "cell". The "uni-" comes from Latin "ūnus", which descends from the same ancient root that gave English "one". The "cellular" part traces back to the Latin "cellula", a little chamber or storeroom, the diminutive of "cella". That is the original sense that matters here: a cell was first a small room, and it was only later applied to the tiny compartments that living tissue is made of. The plural form "unicellulars" is simply the plural of the adjective-turned-noun "unicellular", used for organisms that consist of a single cell. Because the word is a deliberate construction from known parts rather than an inherited term, its meaning follows directly from its two halves: one cell, and the cellular quality that goes with it.

Synonyms: single-celled organisms, microorganisms