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ectozoon

[ ek-tuh-zoh-on, -uhn ]
/ ˌɛk təˈzoʊ ɒn, -ən /
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noun, plural ec·to·zo·a [ek-tuh-zoh-uh]. /ˌɛk təˈzoʊ ə/. Biology.

any animal parasite, as the louse, that lives on the surface of its host (opposed to entozoon).

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Also ectozoan.

Origin of ectozoon

First recorded in 1855–60; ecto- + -zoon

Words nearby ectozoon

ectothrix, ectotrophic, ectotrophic mycorrhiza, ectozoan, ectozoic, ectozoon, Ectrin, ectro-, ectrocheiry, ectrodactylism, ectrodactyly
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for ectozoon

  • The most common ectozoon is the hog louse (Hmatopinus suis).

    Parasites|T. Spencer Cobbold

  • Another ectozoon, placed by Mgnin and others amongst the lowest types of Arachnida, is the well-known Demodex folliculorum.

    Parasites|T. Spencer Cobbold

Medical definitions for ectozoon

ectozoon
[ ĕk′tə-zō′ŏn′ ]

n. pl. ec•to•zo•a (-zō′ə)

An animal parasite, such as a flea or louse, living on the exterior of the host organism.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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