trichonymph

[trik-uh-nimf]

noun

a flagellated protozoan of the genus Trichonympha that lives in the intestine of wood-eating termites, transforming the cellulose in the wood into soluble carbohydrates that can be utilized by the insect.

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Origin of trichonymph

From New Latin; see origin at tricho-, nymph

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018