MIRACIDIUM

[ ˌmʌɪrə'sɪdɪəm ]

■ noun ( plural miracidia ) Zoology a free-swimming ciliated larval stage in which a parasitic fluke passes from the egg to its first host, typically a snail.

Origin

C19: from Gk meirakidion , dimin. of meirakion 'boy, stripling'.