clostridium

American  

[klo-strid-ee-uhm] / klɒˈstrɪd i əm /

noun

Bacteriology.

plural

clostridia

1. any of several rod-shaped, spore-forming, anaerobic bacteria of the genus Clostridium, found in soil and in the intestinal tract of humans and animals.

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clostridium British  

/ klɒˈstrɪdɪəm /

noun

1. any anaerobic typically rod-shaped bacterium of the genus Clostridium , occurring mainly in soil, but also in the intestines of humans and animals: family Bacillaceae . The genus includes the species causing botulism and tetanus

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Other Word Forms

• clostridial adjective
• clostridian adjective

Etymology

Origin of clostridium

1880–85; < New Latin < Greek klōstr-, variant stem of klōstḗr spindle ( klōs-, variant stem of klṓthein ( Clotho ) + -tēr agent suffix) + New Latin -idium -idium

Example Sentences

Botulism is a rare but life-threatening condition caused by toxins made by clostridium botulinum bacteria.

From BBC

They had found traces of the bacterium clostridium botulinum in one of Neruda's teeth.

From BBC

But crucially, the researchers also found in one of Mr. Neruda’s molars traces of the bacteria clostridium botulinum.

From New York Times

Lavender developed a debilitating infection caused by clostridium difficile bacteria, which can result from the use of antibiotics.

From Washington Post

The outbreak that occurred last month was caused by clostridium perfringen, a type of food-borne disease that occurs when food is left at unsafe temperatures, health officials at Ohio said in a statement.

From Reuters