Dipsozoa
/ˌdɪp.səˈzoʊ.ə/noun
A small group of parasitic flatworms, especially a class of tapeworms.
Did you know?Dipsozoa is built from Greek roots meaning “thirst” and “saving,” a reminder that scientific names can preserve ancient word-magic even when the creatures themselves are anything but magical.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
dípsa
“thirst”
Ancient Greek
Greek
zōḗ
“life”
Modern scientific Latin
Latin
Dipsozoa
“a taxonomic name formed from Greek elements, used for a group of parasitic worms”
Modern English
English
dipsozoa
“the scientific name of a parasitic worm group”