sporozoan

[ spawr-uh-zoh-uhn, spohr- ]

noun

1. any parasitic spore-forming protozoan of the phylum (or class) Sporozoa, several species of which, as plasmodia, cause malaria.

adjective

1. Also sporo·zoal. belonging or pertaining to the Sporozoa.

sporozoan

/ ˌspɔːrəˈzəʊən; ˌspɒ- /

noun

1. any parasitic protozoan of the phylum Apicomplexa (or Sporozoa ), characterized by a complex life cycle, part of which is passed in the cells of the host, and the production of asexual spores: includes the malaria parasite See plasmodium

adjective

1. of or relating to sporozoans

sporozoan

/ spôr′ə-zō′ən /

1. Any of numerous parasitic protozoans now classified as apicomplexans .

Word History and Origins

Origin of sporozoan¹

First recorded in 1885–90; Sporozo(a) + -an

Example Sentences

EDITOR’S NOTE: We now know that a single-celled sporozoan of the Plasmodium genus causes malaria.

From Scientific American