poikilothermic

poikilothermic

 [poi″kĭ-lo-ther´mik]

1. pertaining to or characterized by poikilothermy.

2. ectothermic.

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

poi·ki·lo·ther·mic

, poikilothermalpoikilothermous (poy'ki-lō-ther'mic, -măl, -mŭs),

1. Varying in temperature according to the temperature of the surrounding medium; denoting the so-called cold-blooded animals, such as the reptiles and amphibians, and the plants.

2. Capable of existence and growth in media of varying temperatures. Compare: heterothermic, homeothermic.

3. Causing a disruption of normal hypothalamic thermoregulatory function, as seen with drugs such as phenothiazines.

Synonym(s): cold-blooded, hematocryal

[poikilo- + G. thermē, heat]

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

poi·ki·lo·ther·mic

, poikilothermal , poikilothermous (poy'ki-lō-thĕr'mik, -măl, -mŭs)

1. Varying in temperature according to the temperature of the surrounding medium; denoting the so-called cold-blooded animals, such as the reptiles and amphibians and plants.

2. Capable of existence and growth in media of varying temperature.
Synonym(s): hematocryal.

[poikilo- + G. thermē, heat]

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012