\Vor`ti*cel"la\, n.; pl. E. {Vorticellas}, L.
{Vorticell[ae]}. [NL., dim. fr. L. vortex. See {Vortex}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Any one of numerous species of ciliated Infusoria belonging
to {Vorticella} and many other genera of the family
{Vorticellid[ae]}. They have a more or less bell-shaped body
with a circle of vibrating cilia around the oral disk. Most
of the species have slender, contractile stems, either simple
or branched.