First Known Use: 1875
Dictionary
plasmodium
noun plas·mo·di·um \plaz-ˈmō-dē-əm\
plural -dia \-dē-ə\
Definition of PLASMODIUM
1
a : a motile multinucleate mass of protoplasm resulting from fusion of uninucleate amoeboid cells; also : an organism (as a stage of a slime mold) that consists of such a structure b : syncytium 1
2
: a sporozoan parasite (genus Plasmodium) that is the causative agent of malaria
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Origin of PLASMODIUM
New Latin, from plasm- + -odium thing resembling, from Greek -ōdēs like
Medical Dictionary
plasmodium
noun plas·mo·di·um \plaz-ˈmōd-ē-əm\
Medical Definition of PLASMODIUM
1
plural -dia \-dē-ə\ a : a motile multinucleate mass of protoplasm resulting from fusion of uninucleate ameboid cells; also : an organism (as a stage of a slime mold) that consists of such a structure b : syncytium 1
2
a capitalized : the type genus of the family Plasmodiidae of sporozoans that includes all the malaria parasites affecting humans b plural -dia : any individual malaria parasite
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