merozoite

[ mer-uh-zoh-ahyt ]
/ ˌmɛr əˈzoʊ aɪt /

noun

(in the asexual reproduction of certain sporozoans) a cell developed from a schizont that parasitizes a red blood cell in the host.

Origin of merozoite

First recorded in 1895–1900; mero- + zo- + -ite1

Example sentences from the Web for merozoite

British Dictionary definitions for merozoite

merozoite
/ (ˌmɛrəʊˈzəʊaɪt) /

noun

any of the cells formed by fission of a schizont during the life cycle of sporozoan protozoans, such as the malaria parasite Compare trophozoite

Word Origin for merozoite

C20: from mero- + zo ( o) + -ite 1

Medical definitions for merozoite

merozoite
[ mĕr′ə-zōīt ]

n.

A protozoan cell that arises from the schizogony of a parent sporozoan and may enter either the asexual or sexual phase of the life cycle.