Helminthiasis
/ˌhɛl.mɪnˈθaɪ.ə.sɪs/noun
An infection or infestation caused by parasitic worms, especially intestinal worms.
Did you know?Its core comes from Ancient Greek ἕλμινς, meaning “intestinal worm,” a term used in early medical writing for parasitic creatures inside the body.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἕλμινς (helmins)
“Worm, especially an intestinal or parasitic worm”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἑλμινθ- (helminth-)
“Stem form meaning “worm” used in compounds”
Late Greek
Greek
-ίασις (-iasis)
“A pathological condition or disease process”
19th Century
Scientific Latin
helminthiasis
“Disease or infestation caused by worms”
Modern English
English
helminthiasis
“Parasitic worm infection or infestation”
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