poikilothermic definition - Dictionary

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poikilothermic

poi·ki·lo·ther·mic [ pòykilō thúrmik ] or poi·ki·lo·ther·mal [ pòykilō thúrm'l ] or poi·ki·lo·ther·mous [ pòykilō thúrməss ]

adjective

Definition:

having variable body temperature: having a body temperature that varies according to the temperature of the local atmosphere. Reptiles, amphibians, insects, and fish are all poikilothermic.

[Late 19th century. < Greek poikilos "spotted, varied, irregular"]

poi·ki·lo·ther·mism [ pòykilō thúr mìzzəm ] noun

poi·ki·lo·therm·y [ pòykilō thúrmee ] noun

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