archaebacteria

American  

[ahr-kee-bak-teer-ee-uh] / ˌɑr ki bækˈtɪər i ə /

Also archaeobacteria

plural noun

Microbiology.

1. a former term for the archaea, which in the three-domain system are no longer classified, either in kingdom or domain, with the bacteria.

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archaebacteria British  

/ ˌɑːkɪbækˈtɪərɪə /

plural noun

1. (formerly) a group of microorganisms now regarded as members of the Archaea See archaean

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Etymology

Origin of archaebacteria

First recorded in 1975–80; from New Latin; Archae- is irregular for archaeo- (perhaps an erroneous Latinizing of Greek arche- ); see origin at arche-, archaeo-, bacteria

Example Sentences

Although a few biolo­gists still dispute our interpretation, the idea that archaebacteria represent a sep­arate grouping at the highest level is be­ coming generally accepted.

From Scientific American • Jan. 1, 2013

Here was a new group of organ­ isms: the methanogens and their rela­tives, which together have come to be called archaebacteria.

From Scientific American • Jan. 1, 2013

In order to appreciate the special status of the archaebacteria it is helpful to consider some of the defining charac­teristics of eukaryotes and prokaryotes.

From Scientific American • Jan. 1, 2013

The supposed great antiquity of the archaebacteria remains an unproved prejudice, but it is a plausible one.

From Scientific American • Jan. 1, 2013

Moreover, some of the archaebacteria have a form of metabolism that seems particularly well suited to the conditions believed to have prevailed in the early history of life on the earth.

From Scientific American • Jan. 1, 2013