To remove or lose flagella (whip-like appendages used for movement) from a microorganism or cell.
From Latin 'ex-' (out, away) + 'flagellum' (whip) + the verb suffix '-ate'. Used in biology to describe the loss of these swimming structures.
Under a microscope, some bacteria and protozoans can lose their flagella and become immobilized—exflagellate describes this transformation, and it's fascinating because the organism essentially becomes paralyzed by this change.
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