schistosome
Pronunciation: /ˈʃɪstə(ʊ)ˌsəʊm/
Definition of schistosome
noun
Zoology & Medicine- a parasitic flatworm which needs two hosts to complete its life cycle. The immature form infests freshwater snails and the adult lives in the blood vessels of birds and mammals, causing bilharzia in humans. Also called blood fluke.
- Genus Schistosoma, subclass Digenea, class Trematoda
Origin:
early 20th century: from modern Latin Schistosoma, from Greek skhistos 'divided' + sōma 'body'