definitive host

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noun Zoology.

the host in or on which a parasite spends the sexual stage of its life cycle.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of definitive host

First recorded in 1900–05

Words nearby definitive host

definite relative clause, definite relative pronoun, definition, definitions, definitive, definitive host, definitively, definitive plumage, definitize, definitude, deflagrate

How to use definitive host in a sentence

The mosquito is therefore the definitive host rather than the intermediate, as usually stated.
Handbook of Medical Entomology|William Albert Riley
It is not likely that any intermediate host is necessary for the growth of the larv, prior to their access to the definitive host.
Parasites|T. Spencer Cobbold

Scientific definitions for definitive host

definitive host

[ dĭ-fĭn′ĭ-tĭv ]

See under host.