ectoparasite

[ ek-toh-par-uh-sahyt ]
/ ˌɛk toʊˈpær əˌsaɪt /

noun

an external parasite (opposed to endoparasite).

Origin of ectoparasite

First recorded in 1860–65; ecto- + parasite

OTHER WORDS FROM ectoparasite

ec·to·par·a·sit·ic [ek-toh-par-uh-sit-ik] /ˌɛk toʊˌpær əˈsɪt ɪk/, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for ectoparasite

British Dictionary definitions for ectoparasite

ectoparasite
/ (ˌɛktəʊˈpærəˌsaɪt) /

noun

a parasite, such as the flea, that lives on the outer surface of its host Also called: exoparasite

Derived forms of ectoparasite

ectoparasitic (ˌɛktəʊˌpærəˈsɪtɪk), adjective

Medical definitions for ectoparasite

ectoparasite
[ ĕk′tə-părə-sīt′ ]

n.

A parasite that lives on the surface or exterior of the host organism, such as an ectophyte or an ectozoon.

Other words from ectoparasite

ec′to•par′a•sitic (-sĭtĭk) adj. ec′to•para•sit•ism (-sĭ-tĭz′əm, -sī-) n.

Scientific definitions for ectoparasite

ectoparasite
[ ĕk′tə-părə-sīt′ ]

See under parasite.