trypanosome

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

/ trɪˈpæn əˌsoʊm, ˈtrɪp ə nə- /

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.

Nearby words

trypanosoma brucei gambiense, trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, trypanosoma cruzi, trypanosoma gambiense, trypanosoma rhodesiense, trypanosome, trypanosomiasis, trypanosomicide, trypanosomid, tryparsamide, trypophobia

Origin of trypanosome

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

Related forms

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

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

Examples from the Web for trypanosome

Some weeks later they evolve into the trypanosome forms, pathogenic for man.
Handbook of Medical Entomology|William Albert Riley
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
The trypanosome diseases form the best example of this mode of transmission.
Disease and Its Causes|William Thomas Councilman
The trypanosome lives in the blood of wild game and of rats without producing mischief.
Progress and History|Various

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

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

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

Medicine definitions for trypanosome

trypanosome

[ trĭ-păn′ə-sōm′ ]

n.

A member of the genus Trypanosoma or of the family Trypanosomatidae.

Related forms

try•pan′o•so′mal null adj.

Science 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.