schizont

noun

schiz·​ont ˈski-ˌzänt  ˈskit-ˌsänt 

: a multinucleate sporozoan that reproduces by schizogony

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Schizont, from Greek schízein "to split, part, separate" + German -ont -ont — more at shed entry 1

Note: The term was introduced by the German zoologist Fritz Schaudinn (1871-1906) in "Untersuchungen über den Generationswechsel bei Coccidien," Zoologische Jahrbücher. Abtheilung für Anatomie und Ontogenie der Thiere, 13. Band (1900), p. 213.

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

schizont

noun

schiz·​ont ˈskiz-ˌänt  ˈskit-ˌsänt 

: a multinucleate sporozoan (as a malaria parasite) that reproduces by schizogony

called also agamont, segmenter