ECHINOCOCCUS

echinococcus

(noun) tapeworms whose larvae are parasitic in humans and domestic animals

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

echinococcus (plural echinococci)

(zoology) A parasite of humans and of many domestic and wild animals, the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus, that forms compound cysts or tumours (called hydatid cysts) in various organs, but especially in the liver and lungs.

Source: Wiktionary

E*chi`no*coc"cus, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Definition: A parasite of man and of many domestic and wild animals, forming compound cysts or tumors (called hydatid cysts) in various organs, but especially in the liver and lungs, which often cause death. It is the larval stage of the Tænia echinococcus, a small tapeworm peculiar to the dog.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition