cercaria

noun

cer·​car·​ia (ˌ)sər-ˈker-ē-ə How to pronounce cercaria (audio)
plural cercariae (ˌ)sər-ˈker-ē-ˌē How to pronounce cercaria (audio)
: a usually tadpole-shaped larval trematode worm that develops in a molluscan host from a redia
cercarial adjective

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek kerkos

First Known Use

circa 1871, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cercaria was circa 1871

Dictionary Entries Near cercaria

Cite this Entry

“Cercaria.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cercaria. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

cercaria

noun
cer·​car·​ia (ˌ)sər-ˈkar-ē-ə, -ˈker- How to pronounce cercaria (audio)
plural cercariae -ē-ˌē How to pronounce cercaria (audio)
: a usually tadpole-shaped larval trematode worm that develops in a molluscan host from a redia
cercarial adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on cercaria

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!