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

On penetration, they develop into another intermediate stage and produce thousands of cercariae—another larval stage, this one with a wormlike appearance.

From Scientific American

If it successfully penetrates a snail, the miracidium reproduces asexually and produces thousands of new forms called “cercariae,” which then leave the snail and have 12 hours to find the final host.

From Washington Post

Thus the cercariae, escaping from the snail find themselves on the grass whereupon they promptly drop their tails and stick themselves to the grass-blades.

From Project Gutenberg

The daughter redia or cercaria, as they are now termed, leave the body of the snail and finally become encysted on the stems of grass, cresses and weeds.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus the cercariae, escaping from the snail, find themselves on the grass, whereupon they promptly drop their tails and stick themselves to the grass-blades.

From Project Gutenberg