First Known Use: 1839
Dictionary
echinococcus
noun echi·no·coc·cus \i-ˌkī-nə-ˈkä-kəs\
plural echi·no·coc·ci\-ˈkäk-ˌ(s)ī, -ˈkäk-(ˌ)(s)ē\
Definition of ECHINOCOCCUS
: any of a genus (Echinococcus) of tapeworms that alternate a minute adult living as a commensal in the intestine of carnivores with a hydatid larva invading tissues especially of the liver of cattle, sheep, swine, and humans and acting as a dangerous pathogen
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Origin of ECHINOCOCCUS
New Latin, genus name
Medical Dictionary
echinococcus
noun echi·no·coc·cus \-nə-ˈkäk-əs\
Medical Definition of ECHINOCOCCUS
1
capitalized : a genus of tapeworms of the family Taeniidae that alternate a minute adult living as a harmless commensal in the intestine of dogs and other carnivores with a hydatid larva invading tissues especially of the liver of cattle, sheep, swine, and humans, and acting as a serious often fatal pathogen
2
plural echi·no·coc·ci \-ˈkäk-ˌ(s)ī, -ˈkäk-(ˌ)(s)ē\ : any tapeworm of the genus Echinococcus; also : hydatid 1
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