paramecium

noun

Etymology: From Ancient Greek παραμήκης (paramḗkēs, “oval”), from μῆκος (mêkos, “length”).

1. An oval-shaped protozoan organism of the genus Paramecium.

   “The sun beats on his eyelids; inside them a paramecium revolves. A blink and it changes pattern like a kaleidoscope.”

   “Edgar noticed that Clyde was wearing a necktie with a driblet design. The little figures made him think of paramecia, sinister organisms with gullets and feeding grooves.”