Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
sanguessuga
noun
sahn-gay-SOO-gah
Definition
A sanguessuga is a type of segmented worm known for feeding on the blood of other animals.
Examples
- The sanguessuga latched onto the fish, causing it considerable distress.
- In some cultures, the sanguessuga is used in traditional medicine for bloodletting.
- Many swimmers avoid ponds during summer due to the presence of sanguessugas.
Meaning
The term sanguessuga refers particularly to leeches, which are often found in freshwater environments. They attach to their host and use their suckers to draw blood, which they consume as their primary source of nourishment.
Synonyms
- Leech
- Bloodsucker
- Hirudinea