microfilaria

[ mahy-kroh-fi-lair-ee-uh ]

/ ˌmaɪ kroʊ fɪˈlɛər i ə /

noun, plural mi·cro·fi·lar·i·ae [mahy-kroh-fi-lair-ee-ee] /ˌmaɪ kroʊ fɪˈlɛər iˌi/.

the embryonic larva of the nematode parasite Filaria or of related genera, especially of those species that cause heartworm in dogs and elephantiasis in humans.

Nearby words

microfibre, microfibril, microfiche, microfilament, microfilaremia, microfilaria, microfilm, microfilm plotter, microfilter, microflora, microform

Origin of microfilaria

From New Latin, dating back to 1875–80; see origin at micro-, filaria

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

British Dictionary definitions for microfilaria

microfilaria

/ (ˌmaɪkrəʊfɪˈlɛərɪə) /

noun plural -iae (-ɪˌiː)

zoology the early larval stage of certain parasitic nematodes (filariae), found in the blood of infected individuals

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for microfilaria

microfilaria

[ mī′krō-fə-lâr′ē-ə ]

n. pl. mi•cro•fi•lar•i•ae (-ē-ē′)

The minute larval form of a filarial worm.

Related formsmi′cro•fi•lar′i•al adj.