Hookworm
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /ˈhʊkˌwɝm/ · Part of speech noun
Quick meaning: Hookworm is a noun meaning (metonymic, uncountable) Infection with one of these parasites.
Meaning
(metonymic, uncountable) Infection with one of these parasites.
More Meanings
- (countable) Any of various parasitic bloodsucking roundworms which cause disease, especially the species Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus, having hooked mouthparts and entering their hosts by boring through the skin.
Example Sentences
a case of hookworm
A heavy infestation of more than 100 hookworms can suck up as much as 16 fluid ounces of blood a day. Since hookworm larvae can be transmitted through a mother's milk, infestations can kill infants.
Word Forms
- hookworms
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include ancylostoma, ancylostomid, redworm, roundworm, ascaridoid, maw-worm.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
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