redia Meaning, Definition & Usage

Re"di*a noun

Etymology

NL.; of uncertain origin.

Wordforms

plural L Rediæ (-e), E Redias

Definitions

1. (Zoöl.) A kind of larva, or nurse, which is prroduced within the sporocyst of certain trematodes by asexual generation. It in turn produces, in the same way, either another generation of rediæ, or else cercariæ within its own body. Called also proscolex, and nurse. See Illustration in Appendix.