ectoparasite

[ ek-toh-par-uh-sahyt ]

noun

1. an external parasite ( endoparasite ).

ectoparasite

/ ˌɛktəʊˌpærəˈsɪtɪk; ˌɛktəʊˈpærəˌsaɪt /

noun

1. a parasite, such as the flea, that lives on the outer surface of its host Also calledexoparasite

ectoparasite

/ ĕk′tə-păr′ə-sīt′ /

1. See under parasite

Derived Forms

• ectoparasitic, adjective

Other Words From

• ec·to·par·a·sit·ic [ek-toh-par-, uh, -, sit, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ectoparasite¹

First recorded in 1860–65; ecto- + parasite

Example Sentences

The only kind of ectoparasite found on captive cottonmouths in the course of my study was a snake mite, Ophionyssus natricus.

From Project Gutenberg

The embryos are ciliated, unlike those of many of the ectoparasite worms.

From Project Gutenberg