filaria

noun fi·lar·ia \fə-ˈler-ē-ə\

plural fi·lar·i·ae\-ē-ˌē, -ē-ˌī\

Definition of FILARIA

: any of numerous slender filamentous nematodes (Filaria and related genera) that as adults are parasites in the blood or tissues of mammals and as larvae usually develop in biting insects

— fi·lar·i·al \-ē-əl\ adjective

— fi·lar·i·id \-ē-əd\ adjective or noun

Origin of FILARIA

New Latin, genus name, from Latin filum

First Known Use: 1833

Medical Dictionary

filaria

noun fi·lar·ia \fə-ˈlar-ē-ə, -ˈler-\

Medical Definition of FILARIA

plural fi·lar·i·ae \-ē-ˌē, -ˌī\ : any of numerous slender filamentous nematodes that as adults are parasites in the blood or tissues of birds or mammals and as larvae usually develop in biting insects (as fleas or mosquitoes) that belong to the superfamily Filarioidea, and that for the most part were once included in the genus Filaria but are now divided among various genera (as Wuchereria and Onchocerca)

capitalized in former classifications : a genus of nematodes that included most of the filarial worms