tapeworm

[ teyp-wurm ]
/ ˈteɪpˌwɜrm /

noun

any of various flat or tapelike worms of the class Cestoidea, lacking an alimentary canal, and parasitic when adult in the alimentary canal of humans and other vertebrates: the larval and adult stages are usually in different hosts.

Origin of tapeworm

First recorded in 1745–55; tape + worm

Words nearby tapeworm

tapestry brussels, tapestry moth, tapetoretinal, tapetoretinal retinopathy, tapetum, tapeworm, taphephobia, taphiae, taphole, taphonomy, taphouse

Example sentences from the Web for tapeworm

British Dictionary definitions for tapeworm

tapeworm
/ (ˈteɪpˌwɜːm) /

noun

any parasitic ribbon-like flatworm of the class Cestoda, having a body divided into many egg-producing segments and lacking a mouth and gut. The adults inhabit the intestines of vertebrates See also echinococcus, taenia

Medical definitions for tapeworm

tapeworm
[ tāp′wûrm′ ]

n.

Any of various ribbonlike, often very long flatworms of the class Cestoda, that lack an alimentary canal and are intestinal parasites in humans.

Scientific definitions for tapeworm

tapeworm
[ tāp′wûrm′ ]

See cestode.

Cultural definitions for tapeworm

tapeworm

A worm with a long, flat body that can live in the human intestines as a parasite. Infestation with a tapeworm usually occurs as the result of eating raw meat or fish that contains the immature form of the worm.