filaria

[ fi-lair-ee-uh ]
/ fɪˈlɛər i ə /

noun, plural fi·lar·i·ae [fi-lair-ee-ee] /fɪˈlɛər iˌi/.

any small, threadlike roundworm of the family Filariidae and related families, carried as a larva by mosquitoes and parasitic when adult in the blood or tissues of vertebrates.

Origin of filaria

< New Latin (1787), equivalent to Latin fīl(um) thread + -āria -aria

Words nearby filaria

filagree, filament, filamentary, filamentous, filar, filaria, filarial, filariasis, filaricide, filariform, filariid

Example sentences from the Web for filaria

British Dictionary definitions for filaria

filaria
/ (fɪˈlɛərɪə) /

noun plural -iae (-ɪˌiː)

any parasitic nematode worm of the family Filariidae, living in the blood and tissues of vertebrates and transmitted by insects: the cause of filariasis

Derived forms of filaria

filarial or filarian, adjective

Word Origin for filaria

C19: New Latin (former name of genus), from Latin fīlum thread

Medical definitions for filaria (1 of 2)

filaria
[ fə-lâr′ē-ə ]

n. pl. fi•lar•i•ae (-ē-ē′)

Any of various threadlike nematode worms of the superfamily Filarioidea parasitic in vertebrates and often transmitted as larvae by biting insects. The adult form lives in the blood and lymphatic tissues, causing inflammation and obstruction that can lead to elephantiasis.

Other words from filaria

fi•lar′i•al (-ē-əl) null adj.

Medical definitions for filaria (2 of 2)

Filaria

n.

A genus of nematodes no longer in taxonomic use and whose members are now classified in the family Onchocercidae.

Scientific definitions for filaria

filaria
[ fə-lâr′ē-ə ]

Plural filariae (fə-lâr′ē-ē′)

Any of various slender, threadlike nematode worms of the superfamily Filarioidea that are parasitic in vertebrates and are often transmitted as larvae by mosquitoes and other biting insects. The adult form lives in the blood and lymphatic tissues and can cause inflammation and obstruction of lymphatic vessels.