onchocerciasis

[ ong-koh-ser-kahy-uh-sis ]

/ ˌɒŋ koʊ sərˈkaɪ ə sɪs /

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noun Pathology.

an infestation with filarial worms of the genus Onchocerca, common in tropical America and Africa, transmitted by black flies, and characterized by nodules under the skin, an itchy rash, eye lesions, and in severe cases, elephantiasis.

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Also on·cho·cer·co·sis

[ong-koh-ser-koh-sis]. /ˌɒŋ koʊ sərˈkoʊ sɪs/.

Also called river blindness.

Origin of onchocerciasis

1910–15; <New Latin Onchocerc(a) a genus of filarioid worms (oncho- (correctly onco-<Greek ónk(os) barb + -o--o-) + -cerca feminine of -cercus -tailed <Greek, adj. derivative of kérkos tail) + -iasis

Words nearby onchocerciasis

Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once-over, once-over-lightly, oncer, once upon a time, onchocerciasis, oncidium, on cloud nine, onco-, oncogene, oncogenesis

British Dictionary definitions for onchocerciasis

onchocerciasis

/ (ˌɒŋkəʊsəˈkaɪəsɪs) /

noun plural -ses (-siːz)

a disease found in parts of Africa and tropical America that is caused by a parasitic worm, Onchocerca volvulus, and transmitted to humans by various species of black fly. It results in inflammation of the skin and in some cases blindnessAlso called: river blindness

Word Origin for onchocerciasis

C20: from Onchocerca, the genus of worms + -iasis

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