Carrier

Pronunciation: /CAR-ee-er/

Category: Ecology

Singular: Carrier

Plural: Carriers

Definition

An organism that harbors and transmits a pathogen from one host to another.

Etymology

From Latin 'carus', meaning 'dear' or 'beloved'; in context, this etymology does not directly relate to the term 'carrier'. The term 'carrier' is rooted in the notion of carrying or transporting.

Example

Mosquitoes are carriers of malaria.

Synonyms

Vector

Related Terms

Vector
Pathogen
Host
Transmission

Usage Notes

A carrier may be asymptomatic, meaning they show no signs of the disease.