any of a superfamily (Ancylostomatoidea) of small, parasitic, intestinal nematode worms with hooks around the mouth: found esp. in tropical climates
See hookworm in American Heritage Dictionary 4
(ho͝okˈwûrmˌ)
noun
Any of numerous small parasitic nematode worms of the family Ancylostomatidae, having a hooked mouthpart with which it fastens itself to the intestinal walls of its host, causing ancylostomiasis. Also called uncinaria.