fa]lˈsipərəm-, fȯ] noun
Etymology: falciparum, New Latin (specific epithet of Plasmodium falciparum ), from Latin falci- (from falc-, falx sickle) + Latin -parum (neuter of -parus -parous)
: severe malaria caused by a malaria parasite ( Plasmodium falciparum ) and marked by recurrence of paroxysms usually in less than 48 hours — called also malignant malaria, subtertian malaria ; compare vivax malaria