intermediate host
Noun: 1. A host that is used by a parasite in the course of its life cycle: An organism that harbors a parasite for a short transitional period. The parasite undergoes essential development or asexual reproduction within this host but does not reach sexual maturity. The intermediate host is typically required for the parasite to complete its life cycle and be transmitted to its definitive host.
The term is used specifically in parasitology and biology to describe a specific type of host-parasite relationship. It is a technical, countable noun. * The snail acts as the intermediate host for the schistosome parasite. * Identifying the intermediate host is crucial for breaking the transmission cycle of the disease.
- In the life cycle of the malaria parasite, the mosquito is the intermediate host.
- The tapeworm uses cattle as an intermediate host before infecting humans, its definitive host.
- Researchers are studying whether the new virus has an animal intermediate host.
- "To serve as an intermediate host": This phrase is commonly used to describe the role of an organism.
- Freshwater fish can serve as an intermediate host for the liver fluke.
- The concept is often contrasted with a definitive host (where the parasite reaches sexual maturity) and a reservoir host (a primary host that maintains the parasite in nature).
- Intermediate (adjective): Occurring between two stages or points.
- Host (noun): An organism that harbors another organism.
- Definitive host (noun): The host in which a parasite reaches sexual maturity.
- Paratenic host (noun): A host where the parasite does not develop but remains alive and infective; this is a more specific type of intermediate host.
- Secondary host
- Vector (in some specific contexts, like for some protozoans, but "vector" more broadly refers to an agent that transmits a pathogen)
The term has a single, precise meaning in biological sciences. It does not have general or idiomatic uses outside this technical context. There are no associated phrasal verbs or idioms.
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a host that is used by a parasite in the course of its life cycle
