n pl 1  cap  :  a large class of strictly parasitic protozoans that pass through a complicated life cycle usu. involving alternation of a sexual with an asexual generation, that often require two or more dissimilar hosts to complete their life cycle, that are typically immobile and usu. intracellular parasites, and that include many serious pathogens (as the malaria parasites, coccidia, and babesias  2  :  protozoans of the class Sporozoa .
 
   
 
Similar sounding terms:  spu·ri·ous  sup·press 
 
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