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.

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Compare cercaria.

Origin of metacercaria

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

Words nearby metacercaria

metacenter, metacentre, metacentric, metacentric chromosome, metacentric height, metacercaria, metachromasia, metachromatic, metachromatic body, metachromatic leukodystrophy, metachromatic stain
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Medical 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.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.