metacercaria

[ met-uh-ser-kair-ee-uh ]

/ ˌmɛt ə sərˈkɛər i ə /

noun, plural met·a·cer·car·i·ae [met-uh-ser-kair-ee-ee] /ˌmɛt ə sərˈkɛər iˌi/. Zoology.

the encysted larva of a trematode, usually found in or on an aquatic intermediate host.

Words nearby metacercaria

metacenter, metacentre, metacentric, metacentric chromosome, metacentric height, metacercaria, metachromasia, metachromatic, metachromatic body, metachromatic leukodystrophy, metachromatic stain

Compare cercaria.

Origin of metacercaria

From New Latin, dating back to 1925–30; see origin at meta-, cercaria

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Medicine definitions for metacercaria

metacercaria

[ mĕt′ə-sər-kăr′ē-ə ]

n. pl. met•a•cer•car•i•ae (-ē-ē′)

The encysted maturing stage of a trematode in its intermediate host prior to transfer to the definitive host, usually representing the organism's infectious stage.