cercaria

noun

cer·​car·​ia (ˌ)sər-ˈker-ē-ə 

plural cercariae (ˌ)sər-ˈker-ē-ˌē 

: a usually tadpole-shaped larval trematode worm that develops in a molluscan host from a redia

cercarial

(ˌ)sər-ˈker-ē-əl 

adjective

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek kerkos

First Known Use

circa 1871, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

cercaria

noun

cer·​car·​ia (ˌ)sər-ˈkar-ē-ə, -ˈker- 

plural cercariae -ē-ˌē 

: a usually tadpole-shaped larval trematode worm that develops in a molluscan host from a redia

cercarial

-ē-əl 

adjective