dermatophyte

[Gr. derma (gen it. der. matos )=skin; phyton =a plant; phyo = to grow. Physiol.: A parasitic plant infesting the cuticle and epidermis of men and animals, and giving rise to various forms of skin disease, as ringworm, . †der-ma-top-ter-a, s. [Gr. derma (gen it. der matos )=skin, and ptera, pl. of pteron a feather, a wing.] Entom.: A name sometimes given to the order or sub-order containing the Earwigs. The common term for it is, however, the shorter form Derm apter a (q. v.). ( Huxley , & c.)