hookworm

[ hook-wurm ]

noun

1. any of certain bloodsucking nematode worms, as Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus, parasitic in the intestine of humans and other animals.
2. Also called hookworm disease. a disease caused by hookworms, which may enter the body by ingestion or through the skin of the feet or legs, causing abdominal pain, nausea, and, if untreated, severe anemia.

hookworm

/ ˈhʊkˌwɜːm /

noun

1. any parasitic blood-sucking nematode worm of the family Ancylostomatidae, esp Ancylostoma duodenale or Necator americanus, both of which cause disease. They have hooked mouthparts and enter their hosts by boring through the skin

hookworm

/ hk′wûrm′ /

1. Any of numerous small, parasitic nematode worms of the family Ancylostomatidae, having hooked mouthparts with which they fasten themselves to the intestinal walls of various animals, including humans.

Other Words From

• hook·worm·y adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hookworm¹

First recorded in 1900–05; hook ¹ + worm

Example Sentences

The type of hookworm infecting Loukas can live in his body for many years, but its eggs can’t hatch there.

From Science News For Students

Among better known ones are tapeworms, hookworms, lice and ticks.

From Science News For Students

According to Mejia, warming in the Southeast has doubled the length of the infectious season for parasites such as hookworm, whose larvae hatch in warm, moist soils and infiltrate humans through bare feet.

From Washington Post

Probably none are so infected with spiritual hookworm as the immigrants from Naples.

From Project Gutenberg

Vinegar eels, the horsehair worm, the pork worm or trichina and the dread hookworm are examples.

From Project Gutenberg

The people, largely farmers, become infected with a larval stage of the hookworm, which develops in moist earth.

From Project Gutenberg

The hookworm, deadly as an asp, has got you in its loathsome grasp!

From Project Gutenberg

But I will break the hookworm lose, and cook its everlasting goose!

From Project Gutenberg