Definition

A disease caused by a parasite that infects humans, leading to painful symptoms and often resulting in the emergence of a long worm from the skin.

Example

Dracunculiasis is a disease that can cause severe pain and disability due to the presence of the guinea worm.

Conversation

Have you heard about dracunculiasis?

Yeah, it's that disease caused by the guinea worm, right?

Exactly! It's really interesting how it's been nearly eradicated in most places.

I know, it's amazing what efforts can do to eliminate such diseases.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Dracunculiasis is formed from "dracunculus" (from Latin, meaning little dragon) and "-iasis" (from Greek, meaning a pathological condition). The term refers to a disease caused by a parasitic worm, which is often likened to a little dragon due to its long, serpentine shape.

Memory Tip

Imagine a little 'dragon' ('dracunculus') causing a 'disease' ('-iasis') — that's why dracunculiasis refers to a condition caused by a parasitic worm.

Visually Confused Words