pentastomid

or pen·ta·stome

[ pen-tuh-stoh-mid, pen-tas-tuh-mid or pen-tuh-stohm ]
/ ˌpɛn təˈstoʊ mɪd, pɛnˈtæs tə mɪd or ˈpɛn təˌstoʊm /

noun Zoology.

tongue worm.

Origin of pentastomid

1905–10; < New Latin Pentastomida name of the class of tongue worms, equivalent to Pentastom(um) a genus name ( penta- penta- + -stomum < Greek -stomon, neuter of -stomos -stomous) + -ida -ida

Words nearby pentastomid

pentaquark, pentaquine, pentarchy, pentastich, pentastome, pentastomid, pentastyle, pentastylos, pentasyllable, pentateuch, pentathlete

Definition for pentastome (2 of 2)

tongue worm

noun

any wormlike invertebrate of the phylum Pentastomida (or subphylum of Arthropoda), having two pairs of hooks at the sides of the mouth: all are parasitic, some in the respiratory tracts of mammals.
Also called pentastome, pentastomid.

Origin of tongue worm

First recorded in 1635–45

British Dictionary definitions for pentastome

tongue worm

noun

vet science a parasitic worm, Linguatula serrata, found in the nose of dogs, so called because of the shape of the worm

Scientific definitions for pentastome (1 of 2)

pentastome
[ pĕn′tə-stōm′ ]

See tongue worm.

Scientific definitions for pentastome (2 of 2)

tongue worm

Any of various small, colorless, tongue-shaped, wormlike invertebrates of the group Pentastoma, which is considered by many zoologists to be a phylum intermediate in evolutionary development between the annelids and arthropods. Tongue worms are parasites that live embedded in the respiratory systems of vertebrates, especially reptiles and also humans, in tropical regions. They have simple nervous and digestive systems but lack circulatory and respiratory systems. Also called pentastome