acarus
/'ækərəs/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A type of mite: "Acarus" refers to any of several very small arachnids belonging to the order Acarina. These are often parasitic or live in stored food products.
- A taxonomic genus: In scientific classification, "Acarus" is also the name of a specific genus within the mite family Acaridae, which includes species like the flour mite.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The scientist studied the acarus under a microscope. (The scientist studied the mite under a microscope.)
- An infestation of acarus can spoil stored grain. (An infestation of mites can spoil stored grain.)
Advanced Usage
- In scientific contexts: The term is primarily used in zoology, entomology, and medicine.
- The Acarus siro is a common pest in warehouses. (The species Acarus siro is a common pest in warehouses.)
Variants and Related Words
- Acari (n): The plural form of acarus.
- The sample contained numerous acari. (The sample contained numerous mites.)
- Acarid (n): Another term for a mite or tick of the order Acarina.
- Acarids can cause allergies in humans. (Mites can cause allergies in humans.)
- Acarology (n): The study of mites and ticks.
- She specialized in acarology. (She specialized in the study of mites.)
Synonyms
- Mite: A general term for a small arachnid of the order Acarina.
- Tick: A blood-sucking arachnid, often larger than a mite, but also belonging to the Acarina order.
Notes on Meaning
- The word "acarus" is highly technical and is rarely used in everyday conversation. It is most commonly encountered in academic, scientific, or medical writing.
- It should not be confused with "acaridae," which is the family name, or "acariasis," which is the medical condition of infestation by mites.
Noun
- any of several mites of the order Acarina