anopheles
[uh-nof-uh-leez]
- any mosquito of the genus Anopheles, certain species of which are vectors of the parasite causing malaria in humans, distinguished from other mosquitoes by the absence of breathing tubes in the larvae and by the head-downward stance of the adult while resting or feeding.
Show More
Compare culex.
Origin of anopheles
1895–1900; < New Latin < Greek anōphelḗs useless, hurtful, harmful, equivalent to an- an-1 + -ōpheles- variant stem of óphelos profit; earlier (a)n- (with vowel lengthening) + opheles-, written in Mycenaean Greek as nopere
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for anopheles
Contemporary Examples of anopheles
In contrast to the veteran Anopheles, the Aedes mosquito did not arrive until the 1980s.
Historical Examples of anopheles
The Anopheles is more common in the country, while the Culex is a city pest.
The other division of malaria-hunters pursued the trail of the Anopheles to her lair.
Preventable DiseasesWoods Hutchinson
Usually it can be definitely shown that no Anopheles occur there.
Insects and DiseasesRennie W. Doane
Other mosquitoes may be there in abundance, but if no Anopheles, there is no malaria.
Insects and DiseasesRennie W. Doane
On the other hand, the Fiji Islands have Anopheles but no malaria.
Insects and DiseasesRennie W. Doane
anopheles
- any of various mosquitoes constituting the genus Anopheles, some species of which transmit the malaria parasite to man
Show More
Word Origin for anopheles
C19: via New Latin from Greek anōphelēs useless, from an- + ōphelein to help, from ophelos help
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for anopheles
Anopheles
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Anopheles
(ə-nŏf′ə-lēz′)- A genus of mosquitoes containing over 90 species, many of which are vectors of malaria.
Show More
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.