epizoon

or ep·i·zo·ite

[ ep-uh-zoh-on, -uh n ]
/ ˌɛp əˈzoʊ ɒn, -ən /

noun, plural ep·i·zo·a [ep-uh-zoh-uh] /ˌɛp əˈzoʊ ə/. Biology.

an external parasite or commensal on the body of an animal; ectozoon.

Origin of epizoon

From New Latin, dating back to 1830–40; see origin at epi-, -zoon

Words nearby epizoon

epitympanum, epixylous, epizoic, epizoite, epizoology, epizoon, epizootic, epizootic lymphangitis, epizootiology, epizooty, epns

British Dictionary definitions for epizoite (1 of 2)

epizoite
/ (ˌɛpɪˈzəʊɪt) /

noun

an organism that lives on an animal but is not parasitic on it

British Dictionary definitions for epizoite (2 of 2)

epizoon
/ (ˌɛpɪˈzəʊɒn) /

noun plural -zoa (-ˈzəʊə)

an animal, such as a parasite, that lives on the body of another animal

Derived forms of epizoon

epizoan, adjective

Word Origin for epizoon

C19: New Latin, from epi- + Greek zōion animal

Medical definitions for epizoite

epizoon
[ ĕp′ĭ-zō′ŏn, -ən ]

n. pl. ep•i•zo•a (-zō′ə)

An epizoic organism.