Pronunciation: /ɛk.toʊˌθɜrm/

Definitions of ectotherm

noun A cold-blooded animal that regulates its body temperature based on external sources such as the environment

Example Sentences

A1 An ectotherm is an animal that relies on external sources of heat to regulate its body temperature.

A2 Many reptiles, such as snakes and lizards, are considered ectotherms.

B1 Ectotherms are often more active during the warmer parts of the day.

B2 The behavior of ectotherms is heavily influenced by environmental temperature changes.

C1 Scientists study the metabolic processes of ectotherms to better understand their physiological adaptations.

C2 The evolutionary history of ectotherms reveals fascinating insights into the diversity of life on Earth.

Examples of ectotherm in a Sentence

formal Ectotherms are animals that rely on external sources of heat to regulate their body temperature.

informal Did you know that most reptiles are ectotherms?

slang Ectotherms are like the chill bros of the animal kingdom, just soaking up the sun for warmth.

figurative Being an ectotherm in a cold-blooded world can have its advantages.

Grammatical Forms of ectotherm

plural

ectotherms

comparative

more ectothermic

superlative

most ectothermic

present tense

ectotherm

future tense

will ectotherm

perfect tense

has ectothermed

continuous tense

is ectotherming

singular

ectotherm

positive degree

ectotherm

infinitive

to ectotherm

gerund

ectotherming

participle

ectothermed

Origin and Evolution of ectotherm

First Known Use: 1884 year
Language of Origin: Greek
Story behind the word: The word 'ectotherm' originates from the Greek words 'ektós' meaning 'outside' and 'thermē' meaning 'heat'.
Evolution of the word: Originally used in biology to describe organisms that rely on external sources of heat to regulate their body temperature, the term 'ectotherm' has since become widely used in the field of zoology and ecology to categorize animals based on their thermoregulation strategies.