Main Entry: bal·an·tid·i·um

Pronunciation: \ˌbal-ən-ˈtid-ē-əm\

Function: noun

1 capitalized : a genus of large parasitic ciliate protozoans (order Heterotricha) including one (B. coli) that infests the intestines of some mammals and especially swine and may cause a chronic ulcerative dysentery in humans
2 plural bal·an·tid·ia \-ē-ə\ : a protozoan of the genus Balantidium

—bal·an·tid·i·al \-ē-əl\ or bal·an·tid·ic \-ˈtid-ik\ adjective