entamoeba

noun

ent·​amoe·​ba ˌen-tə-ˈmē-bə How to pronounce entamoeba (audio)
: any of a genus (Entamoeba) of amoebas parasitic in vertebrates and including one (E. histolytica) that causes amebic dysentery in humans

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1914, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of entamoeba was in 1914

Dictionary Entries Near entamoeba

Cite this Entry

“Entamoeba.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/entamoeba. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

entamoeba

noun
ent·​amoe·​ba
ˌent-ə-ˈmē-bə, ˈent-ə-ˌ
1
capitalized : a genus of amoeboid protozoans (order Amoebida) that are parasitic in the vertebrate digestive tract and especially in the intestines and that include the causative agent (E. histolytica) of amebic dysentery see endamoeba
2
also entameba plural entamoebas also entamebas or entamoebae also entamebae -(ˌ)bē How to pronounce entamoeba (audio) : any protozoan of the genus Entamoeba
entamoebic adjective
also entamebic

More from Merriam-Webster on entamoeba

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!