Archaea
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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Translingual [edit]
Alternative forms [edit]
- Archea (common misspelling)
Etymology [edit]
From Ancient Greek ἀρχαῖα (arkhaia, “ancient”), neuter plural of ἀρχαῖος (arkhaios, “ancient”).
Proper noun [edit]
Archaea
- A taxonomic domain of single-celled organisms lacking nuclei, formerly called archaebacteria but now known to differ fundamentally from bacteria.
Usage notes [edit]
Whereas in the three-domain system the Archaea comprise a domain, in the short-lived two-empire system they were a kingdom in the domain (or "empire") Prokaryota.
