pentastomid

[ pen-tuh-stoh-mid, pen-tas-tuh-mid ]

noun

, Zoology.

1. tongue worm.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pentastomid¹

1905–10; < New Latin Pentastomida name of the class of tongue worms, equivalent to Pentastom ( um ) a genus name ( penta- penta- + -stomum < Greek -stomon, neuter of -stomos -stomous ) + -ida -ida

Example Sentences

It may be pleasing to find out pentastomid parasites—or “tongue worms” as they are colloquially known—do not attach to the vertebrate tongue, they merely just look like one.

From Forbes

Today, pentastomid parasites are exclusively found as internal parasites of the respiratory system.

From Forbes