helminthology

American  

[hel-min-thol-uh-jee] / ˌhɛl mɪnˈθɒl ə dʒi /

noun

1. the scientific study of worms, especially of parasitic worms.

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helminthology British  

/ ˌhɛlmɪnˈθɒlədʒɪ, ˌhɛlmɪnθəˈlɒdʒɪkəl /

noun

1. the study of parasitic worms

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Other Word Forms

• helminthologic adjective
• helminthological adjective
• helminthologist noun

Etymology

Origin of helminthology

First recorded in 1810–20; helminth + -o- + -logy

Explanation

Although helminthology, the study of parasitic worms, may have a subject that lots of people are grossed out by, it's actually an important subject for the health of humans and animals. To be more precise, helminthology is the study of helminths, a type of worm that lives inside the body of its hosts. Many helminths live in the hosts' intestines, and the adult worms are large enough to be seen without a microscope. Different species specialize in invading different hosts, from humans to crickets. Their name comes from the Greek word helmins, meaning "worm."

Example Sentences

His special subject was helminthology, particularly the worms parasitic in man and animals, and as a physician he gained a considerable reputation in the diagnosis of cases depending on the presence of such organisms.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 5 "Clervaux" to "Cockade" by Various