Antiparasitic

/ˌæntiˌpærəˈsɪtɪk/ adjective

Definition

Acting against parasites, or a substance that kills or prevents parasites like worms, insects, or microorganisms that live on or in other organisms.

Etymology

From anti- (against) + parasitic (from parasite, from Greek parasitos, eating beside). The term emerged in medicine and biology in the 19th century as parasitic diseases became better understood.

Kelly Says

Antiparasitic drugs are some of medicine's great success stories—they've eliminated or nearly eliminated diseases like guinea worm and river blindness that affected hundreds of millions of people.

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