microfilaria

[ mahy-kroh-fi-lair-ee-uh ]

noun

, plural mi·cro·fi·lar·i·ae [mahy-kroh-fi-, lair, -ee-ee].

1. the embryonic larva of the nematode parasite Filaria or of related genera, especially of those species that cause heartworm in dogs and elephantiasis in humans.

microfilaria

/ ˌmaɪkrəʊfɪˈlɛərɪə /

noun

1. zoology the early larval stage of certain parasitic nematodes (filariae), found in the blood of infected individuals

Word History and Origins

Origin of microfilaria¹

From New Latin, dating back to 1875–80; micro-, filaria