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poikilotherm

noun
poi·​ki·​lo·​therm | \ pȯi-ˈkē-lə-ˌthərm How to pronounce poikilotherm (audio) , -ˈki- How to pronounce poikilotherm (audio) \

Definition of poikilotherm

: an organism (such as a frog) with a variable body temperature that tends to fluctuate with and is similar to or slightly higher than the temperature of its environment : a cold-blooded organism
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Other Words from poikilotherm

poikilothermic \ ˌpȯi-​kə-​lō-​ˈthər-​mik How to pronounce poikilothermic (audio) \ adjective

Did You Know?

Poikilotherms are also called "ectotherms" or "cold-blooded animals." Such creatures are the thermoregulatory opposites of "endotherms" or "homeotherms" - better known to most of us as "warm-blooded animals" - which are able to maintain a fairly high and constant body temperature relatively independent of the temperature of the surroundings. "Stenotherms" are creatures that can survive only within a very narrow temperature range. The "-therm" in all of these terms comes from the Greek thermē, which means "heat."

First Known Use of poikilotherm

1920, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for poikilotherm

Greek poikilos variegated + International Scientific Vocabulary -therm — more at paint

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More Definitions for poikilotherm

poikilotherm

noun
poi·​ki·​lo·​therm | \ ˈpȯi-ki-lə-ˌthərm How to pronounce poikilotherm (audio) , (ˌ)pȯi-ˈkil-ə- How to pronounce poikilotherm (audio) \

Medical Definition of poikilotherm

: an organism (as a frog) with a variable body temperature that is usually slightly higher than the temperature of its environment : a cold-blooded organism

— called also heterotherm

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