sporozoan

[ spawr-uh-zoh-uh n, spohr- ]
/ ˌspɔr əˈzoʊ ən, ˌspoʊr- /

noun

any parasitic spore-forming protozoan of the phylum (or class) Sporozoa, several species of which, as plasmodia, cause malaria.

adjective

Also spo·ro·zo·al. belonging or pertaining to the Sporozoa.

Origin of sporozoan

First recorded in 1885–90; Sporozo(a) + -an

Example sentences from the Web for sporozoan

  • Others suffer more or less from the attacks of various Sporozoan parasites.

    Insects and Diseases |Rennie W. Doane

British Dictionary definitions for sporozoan

sporozoan
/ (ˌspɔːrəˈzəʊən, ˌspɒ-) /

noun

any parasitic protozoan of the phylum Apicomplexa (or Sporozoa), characterized by a complex life cycle, part of which is passed in the cells of the host, and the production of asexual spores: includes the malaria parasite See plasmodium (def. 2)

adjective

of or relating to sporozoans

Medical definitions for sporozoan

sporozoan
[ spôr′ə-zōən ]

n.

An organism of the class Sporozoa.

Other words from sporozoan

spo′ro•zoan adj.

Scientific definitions for sporozoan

sporozoan
[ spôr′ə-zōən ]

Any of numerous parasitic protozoans now classified as apicomplexans.