flagellum

• Nom désignant un appendice mince et flexible en forme de fouet, utilisé pour la locomotion par certaines cellules et micro-organismes, ou historiquement un fouet utilisé pour la punition.

A noun referring to a slender, whip-like appendage used for movement in certain cells and microorganisms, or historically a whip used for punishment.

pluriel irrégulier

1. Whip for punishmentC2formal

   A whip or lash used to inflict punishment, often referred to in a pedantic or humorous context.

   Fouet de punition

   • In his lecture on Roman discipline, he humorously mentioned the flagellum.
   • The historian described the flagellum as a tool of punishment in ancient times.
   • He used the term flagellum to sound more scholarly about the whip.

   Synonymescatlashscourgewhip

2. Biological appendageB2formalscientific

   A slender, lash-like appendage found in certain cells (e.g., sperm cells, bacteria, protozoa) used for movement or locomotion.

   Flagelle (appendice biologique)

   • Sperm cells propel themselves using a flagellum.
   • Bacteria like E. coli have a single flagellum to swim through liquids.
   • The flagellum of a protozoan moves in a whip-like motion.