miracidium

noun

mi·​ra·​cid·​i·​um ˌmir-ə-ˈsi-dē-əm How to pronounce miracidium (audio)
ˌmī-rə-
plural miracidia ˌmir-ə-ˈsi-dē-ə How to pronounce miracidium (audio)
ˌmī-rə-
: the free-swimming ciliated first larva of a digenetic trematode that seeks out and penetrates a suitable snail intermediate host in which it develops into a sporocyst
miracidial
ˌmir-ə-ˈsi-dē-əl How to pronounce miracidium (audio)
ˌmī-rə-
adjective

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek meirak-, meirax youth, stripling + New Latin -idium

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of miracidium was in 1898

Dictionary Entries Near miracidium

Mirach

miracidium

miracle

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Miracidium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/miracidium. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

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Medical Definition

miracidium

noun
mi·​ra·​cid·​i·​um ˌmir-ə-ˈsid-ē-əm How to pronounce miracidium (audio) ˌmī-rə- How to pronounce miracidium (audio)
plural miracidia -ē-ə How to pronounce miracidium (audio)
: the free-swimming ciliated first larva of a digenetic trematode that seeks out and penetrates a suitable snail intermediate host in which it develops into a sporocyst
miracidial
-ē-əl How to pronounce miracidium (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on miracidium

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about miracidium

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