Also 6–7 animalcle. [ad. L. animalcul-um, dim. of animal: see -CULE. Cf. mod.Fr. animalcule. Formerly often used in the L. form, of which the pl. animalcula is still frequent in scientific use. (By the ignorant the latter is sometimes made a sing. with pl. animalculæ.)]
† 1. A small or tiny animal; formerly applied to small vertebrates, such as mice, and all invertebrates.
1599. A. M., trans. Gabelhouer’s Bk. Physic, 131/1. For the Laske … Boyle the Liver of any animalcle, decocte the same, and cause him to eate therof.
1662. More, Antid. Ath., II. xii. (1712), 79. The assault of Flies and Gnats, and such like bold Animalcula.
1691. Ray, Creation, I. (1704), 168. The catching of these Animalcules [Beetles].
1718. J. Chamberlayne, Relig. Philos., III. xxv. § 10. The next biggest Animalculum or Insect.
1728. [? De Foe], Capt. G. Carleton’s Mem., 234. The horrid Desolation which attended the Visitation of those Animalcula [locusts].
1831. Carlyle, Sart. Res. (1858), 121. The basest of created animalcules, the Spider.
2. An animal so small as to be visible only with the aid of the microscope; applied chiefly to the Rotifera and Infusoria.
1677. Phil. Trans., XII. 821. These animalcula or living Atoms did move.
1713. Derham, Phys. Theol., 9. The Animalcules in Pepper-Water.
1722. Wollaston, Relig. Nat., v. 89. If the semina, out of which animals are produced, are (as I doubt not) animalcula already formed.
1745. T. Needham, Microsc. Disc., Introd. 3. The minutest microscopical Animalcule.
1748. Sir J. Hill, Hist. Anim., 2 (Jod.). I have added some unknown species to the Animalcule kingdom.
1835. Kirby, Hab. & Inst. Anim., I. iv. 149. The infusories,… also called animalcules, microscopic animals.
1862. Sir H. Holland, Ess., 84. The appearance of animalcule life in various artificial compounds.
1876. Page, Advd. Text-bk. Geol., iii. 67. The coral animalcule rears its polypidom.
