microfilaria

[ mahy-kroh-fi-lair-ee-uh ]
/ ˌmaɪ kroʊ fɪˈlɛər i ə /

noun, plural mi·cro·fi·lar·i·ae [mahy-kroh-fi-lair-ee-ee] /ˌmaɪ kroʊ fɪˈlɛər iˌi/.

the embryonic larva of the nematode parasite Filaria or of related genera, especially of those species that cause heartworm in dogs and elephantiasis in humans.

Origin of microfilaria

From New Latin, dating back to 1875–80; see origin at micro-, filaria

Words nearby microfilaria

microfibre, microfibril, microfiche, microfilament, microfilaremia, microfilaria, microfilm, microfilm plotter, microfilter, microflora, microform

British Dictionary definitions for microfilaria

microfilaria
/ (ˌmaɪkrəʊfɪˈlɛərɪə) /

noun plural -iae (-ɪˌiː)

zoology the early larval stage of certain parasitic nematodes (filariae), found in the blood of infected individuals

Medical definitions for microfilaria

microfilaria
[ mī′krō-fə-lâr′ē-ə ]

n. pl. mi•cro•fi•lar•i•ae (-ē-ē′)

The minute larval form of a filarial worm.

Other words from microfilaria

mi′cro•fi•lar′i•al adj.