Definition of giardia
: any of a genus (Giardia) of flagellate protozoans inhabiting the intestines of various mammals and including one (G. lamblia synonym G. intestinalis) that is associated with diarrhea in humans
From the M-W Editors
Origin and Etymology of giardia
New Latin, from Alfred M. Giard †1908 French biologist
First Known Use: 1918
Medical Dictionary
Medical Definition of giardia
1 capitalized : a genus of flagellate protozoans inhabiting the intestines of various mammals and including one (G. lamblia synonym G. intestinalis) that is associated with diarrhea in humans
2: any flagellate of the genus Giardia
Biographical Note for giardia
Giard
\zhē-är\play , Alfred Mathieu
(1846–1908), French biologist. Giard was an all-around naturalist. He was a student of morphology, phylogeny, and ethology and a supporter of both Darwinism and Lamarckism. He investigated a wide range of topics in biology, including regeneration, sexuality, metamorphosis, experimental parthenogenesis, hybridization, autotomy, and mimicry. The genus Giardia was named in his honor in 1882 by Johann Kunstler.
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