trypanosome

[ trih-pan-uh-sohm, trip-uh-nuh- ]

/ trɪˈpæn əˌsoʊm, ˈtrɪp ə nə- /

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noun

any minute, flagellate protozoan of the genus Trypanosoma, parasitic in the blood or tissues of humans and other vertebrates, usually transmitted by insects, often causing serious diseases, as African sleeping sickness in humans, and many diseases in domestic animals.

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Origin of trypanosome

1900–05; <Greek trȳpano- (combining form of trȳ́panon borer) + -some³

OTHER WORDS FROM trypanosome

try·pan·o·so·mal, try·pan·o·som·ic

[trih-pan-uh-som-ik, trip-uh-nuh-], /trɪˌpæn əˈsɒm ɪk, ˌtrɪp ə nə-/, adjective

Words nearby trypanosome

try one's patience, tryout, trypaflavine, trypan blue, trypanosoma, trypanosome, trypanosomiasis, tryparsamide, trypophobia, trypsin, trypsinogen

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use trypanosome in a sentence

The trypanosome lives in the blood of wild game and of rats without producing mischief.
Progress and History|Various
This disease is caused by a Protozoan parasite, a trypanosome, which is transmitted from one host to another by the tsetse-fly.
Insects and Diseases|Rennie W. Doane
It is a matter of great interest that a trypanosome has been found in a death-stricken herd of European bison.
More Science From an Easy Chair|Sir E. Ray (Edwin Ray) Lankester
Its connection with the trypanosome-bearing insects was as yet unsuspected, and, to me, its symptoms were absolutely unknown.
The Mystery of 31 New Inn|R. Austin Freeman

The trypanosome diseases form the best example of this mode of transmission.
Disease and Its Causes|William Thomas Councilman

British Dictionary definitions for trypanosome

trypanosome

/ (ˈtrɪpənəˌsəʊm) /

noun

any parasitic flagellate protozoan of the genus Trypanosoma, which lives in the blood of vertebrates, is transmitted by certain insects, and causes sleeping sickness and certain other diseases

Derived forms of trypanosome

trypanosomal or trypanosomic (ˌtrɪpənəˈsɒmɪk), adjective

Word Origin for trypanosome

C19: from New Latin Trypanosoma, from Greek trupanon borer + sōma body

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

Scientific definitions for trypanosome

trypanosome

[ trĭ-păn′ə-sōm′ ]

Any of various parasitic flagellate protozoans of the genus Trypanosoma that can cause serious diseases, such as sleeping sickness. They are transmitted by the bite of certain insects, such as tsetse flies.