any parasitic flagellate protozoan of the genus Trypanosoma, which lives in the blood of vertebrates, is transmitted by certain insects, and causes sleeping sickness and certain other diseases
Derived forms
trypanosomal (ˌtrypanoˈsomal) or trypanosomic (ˌtrɪpənəˈsɒmɪk)
adjective
Word origin
C19: from New Latin Trypanosoma, from Greek trupanon borer + sōma body