metacercaria

noun, plural met·a·cer·car·i·ae [met-uh-ser-kair-ee-ee] /ˌmɛt ə sərˈkɛər iˌi/. Zoology.

1. the encysted larva of a trematode, usually found in or on an aquatic intermediate host.

n. pl. met•a•cer•car•i•ae (-ē-ē′)

1. The encysted maturing stage of a trematode in its intermediate host prior to transfer to the definitive host, usually representing the organism’s infectious stage.