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lungworm

lungworm

8.0
A small creature that lives in the lungs of animals or people and causes coughing
  • noun
  • /ˈlʌŋˌwɜrm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : gusano pulmonar
  • The rat lungworm can lead to serious respiratory problems in humans if left untreated.

Examples

  • The lungworm, discovered in 1988 by Canadian biologists, apparently causes sickness and possibly death in heavily infected animals and reduces their overall vitality.

    Academic text (1996)
  • He has lungworms, sir.

  • Some lungworms pursue a different strategy, however.

    Academic text (2000)
  • PHOTO (COLOR): The muskox may be the sole host for the largest known lungworm, Umingmakstrongylus pallikuukensi.

    Academic text (1996)
  • If the lungworm lands in a patch of grass (and not on another cowpat), its odds of being eaten by a cow are much improved.

    Academic text (2000)
  • When one of the lungworms touches a spore package, it latches on and climbs up to the top.

    Academic text (2000)
  • They keep their distance because the manure often carries the eggs of parasites such as lungworms.

    Academic text (2000)
  • The trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles of these animals were explored carefully for the presence of the adult lungworms.

    Academic text (2014)
  • Soon, the fungus catapults itself six feet into the air, soaring away from the manure like a puddle jumper, with the lungworm going along for the ride.

    Academic text (2000)
  • Health authorities are warning about the spread of lungworm infections after recent cases were reported.

Synonyms

helminth
vslungworm
  • Specialized
1 9.8

A worm that lives inside the body of animals or people and causes illness

is an organ parasite that infects the lungs causing breathing problems
parasitic worm
vslungworm
  • Specialized
1 4.4

A small animal that lives inside another animal and takes its food, often causing sickness

lives specifically in the lungs and causes respiratory disease
endozoan
vslungworm
  • Specialized
9.9

A parasite that lives inside an animal's body, often in the intestines

is limited to the lungs and causes respiratory disease rather than general organ infection
nematode worm
vslungworm
  • Specialized
7.1

A very small thin animal with a pointed body that lives in soil or inside other living things

is a parasite that lives in the lungs and causes breathing illness

Surface Forms

lungworm singular
lungworms plural

Morphology

lungworm = lung + worm (transparent) = lung + worm

The compound clearly denotes a worm associated with the lungs, so its meaning follows directly from 'lung' + 'worm'.

Etymology

Lungworm is simply two common English words: lung ('the breathing organ') and worm ('a small creeping creature'). So a lungworm is literally a worm that lives in the lungs, which explains why it causes coughing and other breathing problems.