[ fɪ'lɛ:rɪə ]
■ noun ( plural ~e -rɪi: ) a thread-like parasitic nematode worm which is transmitted by biting flies and mosquitoes in the tropics, causing disease. [Superfamily Filarioidea.]
Derivatives
~l adjective
Origin
C19: from mod. L. Filaria (former genus name), from L. filum 'thread'.