microfilaria

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

noun,plural mi·cro·fi·lar·i·ae [mahy-kroh-fi-lair-ee-ee]. /ˌmaɪ kroʊ fɪˈlɛər iˌi/.
  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.

Origin of microfilaria

1
From New Latin, dating back to 1875–80; see origin at micro-, filaria

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for microfilaria

microfilaria

/ (ˌmaɪkrəʊfɪˈlɛərɪə) /


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

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