onchocerciasis

[ ong-koh-ser-kahy-uh-sis ]

nounPathology.
  1. an infestation with filarial worms of the genus Onchocerca, common in tropical America and Africa, transmitted by black flies, and characterized by nodules under the skin, an itchy rash, eye lesions, and in severe cases, elephantiasis.

Origin of onchocerciasis

1
1910–15; <New Latin Onchocerc(a) a genus of filarioid worms (oncho- (correctly onco-<Greek ónk(os) barb + -o--o-) + -cerca feminine of -cercus -tailed <Greek, adj. derivative of kérkos tail) + -iasis
  • Also on·cho·cer·co·sis [ong-koh-ser-koh-sis]. /ˌɒŋ koʊ sərˈkoʊ sɪs/.

Words Nearby onchocerciasis

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for onchocerciasis

onchocerciasis

/ (ˌɒŋkəʊsəˈkaɪəsɪs) /


nounplural -ses (-siːz)
  1. a disease found in parts of Africa and tropical America that is caused by a parasitic worm, Onchocerca volvulus, and transmitted to humans by various species of black fly. It results in inflammation of the skin and in some cases blindness: Also called: river blindness

Origin of onchocerciasis

1
C20: from Onchocerca, the genus of worms + -iasis

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