Helminth
/ˈhɛlmɪnθ/noun
A parasitic worm, especially one belonging to a group such as tapeworms, flukes, or roundworms.
Did you know?Ancient Greek physicians used helmins for intestinal worms, while modern medicine preserves the same root in terms for worm infections and anti-worm drugs.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἕλμινς (helmins)
“Worm, especially an intestinal or parasitic worm”
Hellenistic Greek
Greek
ἕλμινθος (helminthos)
“Of a worm; the genitive form used in scientific compounds”
Ancient Latin
Latin
helminthus
“A worm; a learned borrowing from Greek”
18th Century
New Latin
Helminth-
“Scientific combining form referring to worms”
19th Century
English
helminth
“A parasitic worm, adopted into zoological and medical vocabulary”
Modern English
English
helminth
“A parasitic worm, especially a medically significant worm”
Explore more surprising origins