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cryptosporidium

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

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Pronunciation

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  • CMU ARPABET: K R IH2 P T OW0 S P AO0 R IH1 D IY0 AH0 M Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

Any protozoan of the genus Cryptosporidium, intestinal parasites of humans and other vertebrates that can cause diarrhea and other symptoms in cases of low immunity.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • 2020, Alexandra F. Freeman, Steven M. Holland, 53: Prevention and management of infections, Kathleen E. Sullivan, E. Richard Stiehm (editors), Stiehm's Immune Deficiencies: Inborn Errors of Immunity, Elsevier (Academic Press), 2nd Edition, page 1122, Disorders associated with cryptosporidia include CD40 ligand deficiency, DOCK8 deficiency and IL-21 receptor deficiency.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From translingual Cryptosporidium (the genus name), from Latin crypto- (“hidden”) + sporidium (“spore”). From 20th century.