whipworm

noun

whip·worm ˈ(h)wip-ˌwərm

: a parasitic nematode worm (genus Trichuris) with a body that is thickened posteriorly and that is very long and slender anteriorly

especially : one (T. trichiura) of the human intestine

Examples of whipworm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Petrified roundworm and whipworm eggs suggest that Roman-era and late medieval Brits were most likely to be plagued with these pests. —

Joanna Thompson, Scientific American, 21 June 2022 For instance, the human whipworm has problems maturing in cold climates. —

Charles Choi, Discover Magazine, 25 Apr. 2018 Two types of worm were discovered in the remains — roundworm as well as whipworm — and because both are brought on by bad sanitation, the archaeologists theorize that the different infection rates relate to different approaches to waste management. —

Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 18 Aug. 2022 Another star in the human-parasite Olympics is the whipworm, Trichuris trichiura, which can cause gastrointestinal disorders, impaired growth, and abnormal cognitive development. —

Jerome Groopman, The New Yorker, 5 Dec. 2022 Why such a high prevalence of roundworm and whipworm infections? —

Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Aug. 2022 Upon analysis, researchers realized that the substance contained parasitic whipworm eggs commonly found in feces. —

David Kindy, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Feb. 2022 Enlarge / Microscopic egg of a whipworm found in the residue lining the chamber pot. —

Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 11 Feb. 2022 The highest concentration of parasite eggs were found just below the stone toilet, and roundworm and whipworm were the most common eggs found. —

Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 14 Jan. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'whipworm.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.