acarus

noun

ac·​a·​rus ˈa-kə-rəs 

plural acari ˈa-kə-ˌrī 

: mite

especially : one of a formerly extensive genus (Acarus)

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, a re-formation as a masculine noun of Greek akarí (neuter) "mite," probably of pre-Greek substratal origin

Note: The masculine re-formation of Greek akarí is perhaps late Medieval Latin; the form appears in 16th-century Latin/vernacular dictionaries such as the Dutch-Latin dictionary of Cornelis Kiliaan. Greek akarí is conventionally associated with the adjective akarḗs, "tiny, minute," though of equal if not more relevance might be kárnos, "louse" (Hesychius) and kóris, "bedbug."

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

acarus

noun

ac·​a·​rus ˈak-ə-rəs 

1

capitalized : a genus of arachnids including a number of small mites and formerly including all mites and ticks

2

plural acari -ˌrī  -ˌrē  : mite

especially : one of the genus Acarus or formerly included in this genus