zooxanthella, n.

zooxanthella
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zooxanthella_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
Revised 2017

# zooxanthellanoun

## Earlier version

- zooxanthella in OED Second Edition (1989)

## Factsheet

### What does the noun zooxanthella mean?

There is one meaning in OED's entry for the noun zooxanthella. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.

### How common is the noun zooxanthella?

About 0.08occurrences per million words in modern written English

1880 | 0.0065
1890 | 0.0064
1900 | 0.012
1910 | 0.014
1920 | 0.018
1930 | 0.022
1940 | 0.033
1950 | 0.048
1960 | 0.063
1970 | 0.068
1980 | 0.074
1990 | 0.081
2000 | 0.089
2010 | 0.09

### How is the noun zooxanthella pronounced?

#### British English

/ˌzuː(ə)zanˈθɛlə/
zoo-uh-zan-THEL-uh
/ˌzəʊəzanˈθɛlə/
zoh-uh-zan-THEL-uh

#### U.S. English

/ˌzu(ə)ˌzænˈθɛlə/
zoo-uh-zan-THEL-uh
/ˌzoʊəˌzænˈθɛlə/
zoh-uh-zan-THEL-uh

### Where does the noun zooxanthella come from?

Earliest known use

1880s

The earliest known use of the noun zooxanthella is in the 1880s.

OED's earliest evidence for zooxanthella is from 1882, in Journal of Royal Microscopical Society.

zooxanthella is a borrowing from Latin.

Etymons: Latin zooxanthella.

### Nearby entries

1. zootomy, n. 1663–
2. zootoxin, n. 1906–
3. zootrophy, n. 1877–
4. zoot suit, n. 1942–
5. zoot-suited, adj. 1942–
6. zoot-suiter, n. 1942–
7. zooty, adj. 1942–
8. zootype, n. 1883–
9. zootypic, adj. 1853–
10. zoowoman, n. 1930–
11. zooxanthella, n.1882–
12. zooxanthellate, adj. & n. 1981–
13. zooxanthin, n. 1868–
14. zoozygosphere, n. 1880–
15. zope, n. 1880–
16. zophoric, adj. 1728–
17. zophorus | zoophorus, n. 1563–
18. zopilote, n. 1787–
19. zopissa, n. 1601–
20. zoppa, adj. 1740–
21. Zoque, n. 1891–

## Etymology

### Summary

A borrowing from Latin.
Etymon: Latin zooxanthella.
< scientific Latin zooxanthella, former genus name (K. Brandt 1881, in Arch. f. Anat. & Physiol.: Physiol. Abt. 572) < zoo- zoo- comb. form + xantho- xantho- comb. form + ‑ella ‑ella suffix.

Compare zoochlorella n.…
< scientific Latin zooxanthella, former genus name (K. Brandt 1881, in Arch. f. Anat. & Physiol.: Physiol. Abt. 572) < zoo- zoo- comb. form + xantho- xantho- comb. form + ‑ella ‑ella suffix.

Compare zoochlorella n.

### Notes

Compare use of the former genus name in an English context:

1. 1882

   > Dr. Brandt further names the species of algæ in question under two genera, Zoochlorella and Zooxanthella.

   Nature 9 February 338/2

## Meaning & use

Biology.

1. 1882–
   Any of various typically yellow-brown photosynthetic dinoflagellates (formerly grouped in the genus Zooxanthella) which frequently live as symbionts within the cells of certain marine invertebrates, esp. reef-building corals. Chiefly in plural.
   Zooxanthellae are now placed in the genera Symbiodinium and Amphidinium (Phylum Dinoflagellata).
   1. 1882

      > The yellow bodies (or zooxanthellæ of Brandt) which are found in the cells of the endoderm are probably..foreign algæ.

      Journal of Royal Microscopical Society vol. 2 794
   2. 1896

      > Zooxanthellae..are most numerous in the tentacles.

      Sci. Trans. Royal Dublin Society vol. 6 418
   3. 1927

      > Zooxanthellae in the free-living state are often provided with two flagella at one end of the body.

      I. E. Wallin, Symbionticism & Origin Species vi. 71
   4. 1958

      > In Elysia and Tridachia , the flattened margin of the body is coloured by special zooxanthellae which multiply there.

      J. E. Morton, Molluscs ii. 39
   5. 1991

      > Symbiotic dinoflagellates are often referred to as zooxanthellae, a term of convenience that is used for all brown or yellow-brown symbiotic algae and has little taxonomic significance.

      R. S. K. Barnes & K. H. Mann, Fundamentals of Aquatic Ecology (ed. 2) x. 204/2
   6. 2004

      > The polyps that build the Reef eject the zooxanthellae (algae that provide them with nutrition) from their tissues in response to heat stress.

      Times Literary Supplement 11 June 7/1
   invertebrates microbiology plant physiology
   1. rock-builder 1838–
      Any of various marine organisms which contribute to the formation of limestones and other sedimentary rocks, typically by the accumulation or…
   2. aerobian 1865–81
      = aerobe, n. Obsolete. rare.
   3. anaerobian 1865–1900
      = anaerobe, n. Obsolete. rare.
   4. microzyme 1870–
      = microzyma, n. Also: a bacterium.
   5. mycetes 1874–
      With plural agreement. Originally: fungi and bacteria (considered as a division of the vegetable kingdom). Now: spec. fungi, esp. microscopic…
   6. pathogen 1880–
      A microorganism that causes disease. Also figurative.
   7. zooxanthella 1882–
      Any of various typically yellow-brown photosynthetic dinoflagellates (formerly grouped in the genus Zooxanthella) which frequently live as symbionts…
   8. aerobe 1883–
      An organism, esp. a microorganism, that has the ability to live in the presence of oxygen. Cf. earlier aerobian, n.
   9. anaerobe 1883–
      An organism, esp. a microorganism, that has the ability to live in the absence of oxygen. Cf. earlier anaerobian, n.
   10. zymad 1885–
       A micro-organism which produces zymotic disease.
   11. pathogerm 1897–
       A pathogenic microorganism.
   12. phytoflagellate 1902–
       A flagellate (protist) belonging to any of several groups of unicellular organisms whose members typically possess one or more flagella and have…
   13. filter-passer 1906–
       A substance or organism capable of passing through a filter; spec. a filterable virus.
   14. aerophile 1907–
       An aerobe; spec. one that exhibits optimal growth at an oxygen concentration equal to or greater than that of the air (approximately 20%). Cf. micr…
   15. zymocyte a1909–
       A unicellular organism which produces fermentation.
   16. fermenter 1918–
       An organism that causes fermentation.
   17. phytopathogen 1918–
       A microorganism which produces disease in plants.
   18. phytomonad 1926–
       A phytoflagellate belonging to the order Phytomonadina.
   19. pleuropneumonia-like organism 1935–
       Only in pleuropneumonia-like organism n.: a mycoplasma; abbreviation PPLO.
   20. phototroph 1941–
       A phototrophic organism.
   21. mycoplasma 1955–
       Any microorganism of the genus Mycoplasma, comprising very small pleomorphic prokaryotes which are bounded by a trilaminar membrane and lack a…
   22. prokaryote 1963–
       A prokaryotic organism. Contrasted with eukaryote.
   23. mycoplasm 1964–
       = mycoplasma, n. 2.
   24. serovar 1973–
       An antigenically distinct strain of a microorganism; = serotype, n.; (also) a subdivision of a species or subspecies comprising such strains.
   25. spiroplasma 1973–
       Any of a group of pathogenic prokaryotes lacking a cell wall and related to the mycoplasmas, but characterized by their helical structure and…
   26. prokaryon 1975–
       = prokaryote, n. (rare). Also (in plural, in form Prokarya): a taxonomic group comprising the prokaryotes, coextensive with Prokaryota.
   27. ureaplasma 1975–
       A micro-organism of the genus Ureaplasma, formerly included within the genus Mycoplasma (cf. mycoplasma, n.), which is characterized by the…
   View in Historical Thesaurus

## Pronunciation

### British English

/ˌzuː(ə)zanˈθɛlə/
zoo-uh-zan-THEL-uh
/ˌzəʊəzanˈθɛlə/
zoh-uh-zan-THEL-uh

### U.S. English

/ˌzu(ə)ˌzænˈθɛlə/
zoo-uh-zan-THEL-uh
/ˌzoʊəˌzænˈθɛlə/
zoh-uh-zan-THEL-uh

###
Plural: zooxanthellae

### British English

/ˌzuː(ə)zanˈθɛliː/
zoo-uh-zan-THEL-ee
/ˌzəʊəzanˈθɛliː/
zoh-uh-zan-THEL-ee

### U.S. English

/ˌzu(ə)ˌzænˈθɛli/
zoo-uh-zan-THEL-ee
/ˌzoʊəˌzænˈθɛli/
zoh-uh-zan-THEL-ee

####

##### Consonants

- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- ɬrhingyll
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence /ˈpɛtl/ but /ˈpɛtl̩i/.

##### Vowels

- iːfleece
- ihappy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- atrap, bath
- ɑːstart, palm, bath
- ɒlot
- ɔːthought, force
- ʌstrut
- ʊfoot
- uːgoose
- əletter
- əːnurse
- ɪənear
- ɛːsquare
- ʊəcure
- eɪface
- ʌɪpride
- aʊmouth
- əʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ãgratin
- ɒ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)

##### Other symbols

- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.

View the pronunciation model here.

####

##### Consonants

- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye*
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing

* /d/ also represents a 'tapped' /t/ as in

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence /ˈpɛd(ə)l/ but /ˈpɛdl̩i/.

##### Vowels

- ifleece, happy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- ætrap, bath
- ɑlot, palm, cloth, thought
- ɑrstart
- ɔcloth, thought
- ɔrnorth, force
- ʊfoot
- ugoose
- əstrut, comma
- ərnurse, letter
- ɪ(ə)rnear
- ɛ(ə)rsquare
- ʊ(ə)rcure
- eɪface
- aɪpride
- aʊmouth
- oʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ɑ̃gratin
- æ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)

##### Other symbols

- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.

View the pronunciation model here.

####

Simple text respell breaks words into syllables, separated by a hyphen. The syllable which carries the primary stress is written in capital letters. This key covers both British and U.S. English Simple Text Respell.

##### Consonants

b, d, f, h, k, l, m, n, p, r, s, t, v, w and z have their standard English values

- gguy
- jjay
- yyore
- chchore
- khloch
- shshore
- ththaw
- dhthee
- zhbeige

##### Vowels

- atrap
- ahpalm
- airsquare
- arstart
- arrcarry (British only)
- awthought
- ayface
- a(ng)gratin
- edress
- eefleece
- eerdeer
- errmerry
- ikit
- ighpride
- irrmirror
- olot (British only)
- ohgoat
- oogoose
- oorcure
- orforce
- orrsorry (British only)
- owmouth
- oyvoice
- o(ng)salon
- ustrut
- uhletter
- urnurse
- urrhurry
- uufoot

## Forms

### Inflections

Plural: zooxanthellae ( British English /ˌzuː(ə)zanˈθɛliː/ (zoo-uh-zan-THEL-ee) , /ˌzəʊəzanˈθɛliː/ (zoh-uh-zan-THEL-ee) , U.S. English /ˌzu(ə)ˌzænˈθɛli/ (zoo-uh-zan-THEL-ee) , /ˌzoʊəˌzænˈθɛli/ (zoh-uh-zan-THEL-ee) )

## Frequency

zooxanthella typically occurs about 0.08 times per million words in modern written English.

zooxanthella is in frequency band 3, which contains words occurring between 0.01 and 0.1 times per million words in modern written English. More about OED's frequency bands

Frequency data is computed programmatically, and should be regarded as an estimate.

### Frequency of zooxanthella, n., 1880–2010

* Occurrences per million words in written English

Historical frequency series are derived from Google Books Ngrams (version 2), a data set based on the Google Books corpus of several million books printed in English between 1500 and 2010.

The overall frequency for a given word is calculated by summing frequencies for the main form of the word, any plural or inflected forms, and any major spelling variations.

For sets of homographs (distinct entries that share the same word-form, e.g. mole, n.¹, mole, n.², mole, n.³, etc.), we have estimated the frequency of each homograph entry as a fraction of the total Ngrams frequency for the word-form. This may result in inaccuracies.

Smoothing has been applied to series for lower-frequency words, using a moving-average algorithm. This reduces short-term fluctuations, which may be produced by variability in the content of the Google Books corpus.

Decade | Frequency per million words
--- | ---
1880 | 0.0065
1890 | 0.0064
1900 | 0.012
1910 | 0.014
1920 | 0.018
1930 | 0.022
1940 | 0.033
1950 | 0.048
1960 | 0.063
1970 | 0.068
1980 | 0.074
1990 | 0.081
2000 | 0.089
2010 | 0.09

## Compounds & derived words

Sort by

1. zooxanthellate, adj. & n. 1981–
   a. n.A coral that possesses symbiotic…

zooxanthella, n. was revised in June 2017.

zooxanthella, n. was last modified in December 2023.