zoon

[ zoh-on ]

noun,plural zo·a [zoh-uh]. /ˈzoʊ ə/. Biology Rare.
  1. any of the individuals of a compound organism.

  2. any individual, or the individuals collectively, produced from a single egg.

Origin of zoon

1
First recorded in 1860–65; from New Latin zōon, from Greek zôion “animal”

Other words from zoon

  • zo·on·al [zoh-uh-nl], /ˈzoʊ ə nl/, adjective

Other definitions for -zoon (2 of 2)

-zoon

  1. a combining form meaning “animal,” “organism” of the kind specified by the initial element, often corresponding to zoological class names ending in -zoa, with -zoon used to name a single member of such a class: protozoon.

Origin of -zoon

2
see origin at zoon

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use zoon in a sentence

  • Lay hold on the poor devil, right end foremost, zoon as I have stopped uns praching.

    Cripps, the Carrier | R. D. (Richard Doddridge) Blackmore
  • He gave Hyde both hands; he called him "mijn zoon;" he stooped, and put the little lad's arms around his neck.

    The Bow of Orange Ribbon | Amelia E. Barr
  • I wudden trouble, Maaster Jasper; ship c'n nibble a lot on a dewy mornin', and we sh'll git rain zoon, I reck'n.

    The Birthright | Joseph Hocking
  • Zummat occurred betwixt us, and Phil was zoon on the ground under me.

  • Thee zhut thee eyes an' walk about a bit, an' thee'll zoon get down!

British Dictionary definitions for zoon (1 of 2)

zoon

/ (ˈzəʊɒn) /


nounplural zoa (ˈzəʊə) or zoons
  1. a less common term for zooid (def. 1)

Origin of zoon

1
C19: from New Latin, from Greek zōion animal; related to Greek zōē life

Derived forms of zoon

  • zoonal, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for -zoon (2 of 2)

-zoon

n combining form
  1. indicating an individual animal or an independently moving entity derived from an animal: spermatozoon

Origin of -zoon

2
from Greek zōion animal

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012