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mesozoan


Definition of mesozoan

noun

Zoology
  • a minute worm which is an internal parasite of marine invertebrates. It lacks any internal organs other than reproductive cells, and dissolved nutrients are absorbed directly from the host’s tissues.
    • Phyla Orthonectida and Rhombozoa; formerly placed together in the phylum Mesozoa, which was thought to be intermediate between protozoans and metazoans

Origin:

early 20th century: from modern Latin Mesozoa (from mesos 'intermediate' + zōion 'animal') + -an

mesozoan in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of mesozoan in the US English dictionary