a. and sb. Zool. [ad. mod.L. Trēmatōda neut. pl., a. Gr. τρηματώδης having holes, perforated, f. τρῆμα hole, orifice.]
A. adj. Belonging to the class or order Trematoda or Trematoidea of parasitic worms, found in the bodies of various animals, having a flattish or cylindrical form, with skin often perforated by pores, and usually furnished with adhesive suckers; the flukes (FLUKE sb.1 2) are typical examples.
In Cuvier’s classification the Trematoda constituted the second family of parenchymatous entozoa, containing besides the flukes some animals not now reckoned as trematodes.
1836–9. Todd’s Cycl. Anat., II. 121/1. The Treinatode Order … includes only two species infesting the human body.
1864. Reader, 3 Dec., 712/1. He had discovered upon the angel-fish (Squatina angelus) a trematode worm of very singular organization, which will constitute a new genus.
1867. J. Hogg, Microsc., II. iii. 567. One of the most remarkable of the Trematode helminths is Bilharzia haematobia of Cobbold.
1876. Beneden’s Anim. Parasites, Introd. Cestode and trematode worms.
B. sb. A trematode worm.
1876. trans. Wagner’s Gen. Pathol., 120. Trematodes are parasitic solitary flat-worms with inarticulate leaf-shaped bodies.
1904. Brit. Med. Jrnl., 17 Sept., 663. Sections of a minute adult trematode.
1905. Q. Rev., April, 488. The pearls in our fresh water mussel were formed by the larvae of a fluke (a trematode).
So Trematoid a. and sb.
1882. Ogilvie (Annandale), Trematode, Tremaloid, a.
1891. Cent. Dict., Trematoid, a. and n.
