trypanosome

noun

try·pano·some tri-ˈpa-nə-ˌsōm

: any of a genus (Trypanosoma) of parasitic flagellate protozoans that infest the blood of various vertebrates including humans, are usually transmitted by the bite of an insect, and include some that cause serious diseases (such as sleeping sickness and Chagas disease)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Other complex parasites set up shop in the human body for long, persistent infections, including other species of trypanosome. —

Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 14 Feb. 2010 Animals that might harbor trypanosomes were hunted down. —

Carey Baraka, Quartz Africa, 26 Apr. 2020 The cause of the headaches, weakness and pain were trypanosomes, tiny parasites spread by the bite of the tsetste fly — a companion of the elephants. —

SFChronicle.com, 30 Oct. 2019 The cause of the headaches, weakness and pain were trypanosomes, tiny parasites spread by the bite of the tsetste fly — a companion of the elephants. —

Washington Post, 30 Oct. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'trypanosome.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Trypanosoma, from Greek trypanon auger + New Latin -soma -some — more at trepan

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of trypanosome was in 1903

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Trypanosome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trypanosome. Accessed 5 Feb. 2023.

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Kids Definition

trypanosome

noun

try·pano·some tri-ˈpan-ə-ˌsōm

: any of a genus of parasitic protozoans that infect the blood, are usually transmitted by the bite of an insect, and include some that cause serious diseases (as sleeping sickness)