flagellate Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a usually nonphotosynthetic free-living protozoan with whiplike appendages; some are pathogens of humans and other animals
    mastigophoran; flagellate protozoan; flagellated protozoan; mastigophore.
  2. verb whip
    scourge.
    • The religious fanatics flagellated themselves
  3. adjective having or resembling a lash or whip (as does a flagellum)
    flagellated; lash-like; whiplike.

WordNet

Flag"el*late transitive verb
Etymology
L. flagellatus, p.p. of flagellare to scoure, fr. flagellum whip, dim. of flagrum whip, scoure; cf. fligere to strike. Cf. Flall.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Flagellated ; present participle & verbal noun Flagellating
Definitions
  1. To whip; to scourge; to flog.
Fla*gel"late adjective
Definitions
  1. Flagelliform.
  2. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the Flagellata.

Webster 1913