acarine
n.n. a group of tiny, eight-legged animals that are related to spiders and mites. They are usually very small and can be found in many different environments.
n. a subclass of arachnids consisting of mites and ticks, characterized by a body divided into two or three segments and eight legs.
The acarine population in the garden increased during the summer.
Researchers studied the acarine species living in the soil to understand how they contribute to the local ecosystem.
While most acarine species are harmless to humans, certain mites can cause significant allergic reactions or transmit pathogens to livestock.
By surface analysis, acar- + -ine; either coined as such, or perhaps predating the prefix per se; see acarid § Etymology.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Last updated May 26, 2026