actinomyces

American  

[ak-tin-oh-mahy-seez, ak-tuh-noh-] / ækˌtɪn oʊˈmaɪ siz, ˌæk tə noʊ- /

noun

Bacteriology.

plural

actinomyces

1. any of several saprophytic, filamentous, anaerobic bacteria of the genus Actinomyces, certain species of which are pathogenic for humans and animals.

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Other Word Forms

• actinomycetal adjective

Etymology

Origin of actinomyces

< New Latin (1877), equivalent to Greek aktino- actino- + mýkēs fungus ( myco- )

Example Sentences

It takes much longer to treat actinomyces than most bacteria.

From New York Times

The tumors and abscesses wherever they may be are all found to be the same in origin by the presence of the actinomyces fungus.

From Project Gutenberg

The actinomyces gain access to the bone through a carious tooth or through the gum.

From Project Gutenberg

Around each colony of actinomyces is a zone of granulation tissue in which suppuration usually occurs, so that the fungus comes to lie in a bath of greenish-yellow pus.

From Project Gutenberg

Whatever the situation of the disease caused by actinomyces may be, its nature is fundamentally the same and peculiar to the fungus.

From Project Gutenberg