cercaria

[ ser-kair-ee-uh ]

noun

, Zoology.

, plural cer·car·i·ae [ser-, kair, -ee-ee].

1. the disk-shaped larva of flukes of the class Trematoda, having a taillike appendage.

cercaria

/ səˈkɛərɪə /

noun

1. one of the larval forms of trematode worms. It has a short forked tail and resembles an immature adult

Derived Forms

• cerˈcarian, adjectivenoun
• cerˈcarial, adjective

Other Words From

• cer·cari·al adjective
• cer·cari·an adjective noun
• pseudo·cer·cari·a noun plural pseudocercariae

Word History and Origins

Origin of cercaria¹

1830–40; < New Latin, equivalent to cerc- (< Greek kérkos tail) + -āria -aria

Word History and Origins

Origin of cercaria¹

C19: New Latin, literally: tailed creature, from Greek kerkos tail

Example Sentences

By drinking the water which contains the cercaria of this species, they grow infested by this singular lodger.

From Project Gutenberg

Claparde has also observed another free cercaria which bears the name of Pachycerca.

From Project Gutenberg

The Cercaria setifera of J. Mller has been found free and attached to the lower surface of some medus.

From Project Gutenberg

It is always of a deep colour, and is doubtless introduced in the state of cercaria, when the animal is drinking.

From Project Gutenberg

There are some grounds for comparing the scolex to the Cercaria of Trematodes, cf. Archigetes.

From Project Gutenberg