Amebiasis
/ˌæmɪˈbaɪəsɪs/noun
An infection caused by amoebae, especially the intestinal parasite Entamoeba histolytica.
Did you know?The name ultimately refers to the amoeba’s ability to change shape, from Greek amoibē, meaning “change” or “alteration.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*mey-
“To change, exchange, or move from one state to another”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ameíbō (ἀμείβω)
“To change, exchange, or alternate”
Ancient Greek
Greek
amoibḗ (ἀμοιβή)
“Change, alteration, or exchange”
19th Century
New Latin
amoeba
“A microscopic organism named for its changeable form”
19th Century
Greek suffix
-iasis (-ίασις)
“A pathological condition or disease process”
Modern English
English
amebiasis
“Infection or disease caused by amoebae”