Factitious host
- Pronunciation
- /fak-TISH-us host/
- Category
- Parasitology
- Singular
- Factitious host
- Plural
- Factitious hosts
Definition
An animal that is not naturally attacked by a particular parasite, but which can be experimentally infected.
Etymology
From Latin 'factitius', meaning 'made by art or skill' or 'artificial'.
Example
A laboratory scientist might use a factitious host to study the life cycle of a parasite.