penicillium

[ pen-uh-sil-ee-uhm ]

noun

, plural pen·i·cil·li·ums, pen·i·cil·li·a [pen-, uh, -, sil, -ee-, uh].

1. any fungus of the genus Penicillium, certain species of which are used in cheesemaking and as the source of penicillin.

penicillium

/ ˌpɛnɪˈsɪlɪəm /

noun

1. any ascomycetous saprotrophic fungus of the genus Penicillium, which commonly grow as a green or blue mould on stale food: some species are used in cheese-making and others as a source of penicillin

penicillium

/ pĕn′ĭ-sĭl′ē-əm /

, Plural penicilliums

1. Any of various bluish-green fungi of the genus Penicillium, that grow as molds on decaying fruits, ripening cheeses, and bread, and are used to produce penicillin and certain other antibiotics.

Word History and Origins

Origin of penicillium¹

1925–30; < New Latin, equivalent to Latin pēnicill ( us ) brush ( pencil ) + -ium -ium

Word History and Origins

Origin of penicillium¹

C19: New Latin, from Latin pēnicillus tuft of hairs; named from the tufted appearance of the sporangia of this fungus

Example Sentences

Eighty-one years later, the substance produced by the Penicillium notatum fungus is still in wide use as an antibiotic.

From The Daily Beast

More or less of the pale gray-green fruit of the characteristic Penicillium Camemberti can usually be seen.

From Project Gutenberg

Some years since, a quantity of dead box leaves were collected, on which flourished at the time a mould named Penicillium roseum.

From Project Gutenberg

When collected, these leaves were examined, and nothing was observed or noted upon them except this Penicillium.

From Project Gutenberg

Aspergillus glaucus and Penicillium crustaceum are examples of these universal Mucedines.

From Project Gutenberg

There could be no mistake about the genus to which this mould belonged; it had all the essential characters of Penicillium.

From Project Gutenberg