bacillus
[ buh-sil-uh s ]
/ bəˈsɪl əs /
noun, plural ba·cil·li [buh-sil-ahy] /bəˈsɪl aɪ/.
any rod-shaped or cylindrical bacterium of the genus Bacillus, comprising spore-producing bacteria.
(formerly) any bacterium.
Words nearby bacillus
Origin of bacillus
1880–85; < Late Latin, variant of Latin bacillum (diminutive of baculum) staff, walking stick
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Examples from the Web for bacilli
British Dictionary definitions for bacilli
bacillus
/ (bəˈsɪləs) /
noun plural -cilli (-ˈsɪlaɪ)
any rod-shaped bacterium, such as a clostridium bacteriumCompare coccus (def. 2), spirillum (def. 1)
any of various rodlike spore-producing bacteria constituting the family Bacillaceae, esp of the genus Bacillus
Word Origin for bacillus
C19: from Latin: a small staff, from baculum walking stick
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Medicine definitions for bacilli (1 of 2)
bacillus
[ bə-sĭl′əs ]
n. pl. ba•cil•li (-sĭl′ī′)
Any of various rod-shaped, usually gram-positive aerobic bacteria of the genus Bacillus that often occur in chains and include Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax.
Any of various bacteria, especially a rod-shaped bacterium.
Medicine definitions for bacilli (2 of 2)
Bacillus
n.
A genus of rod-shaped gram-positive bacteria capable of producing endospores.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Science definitions for bacilli
bacillus
[ bə-sĭl′əs ]
Plural bacilli (bə-sĭl′ī′)
Any of various pathogenic bacteria, especially one that is rod-shaped.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Culture definitions for bacilli
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.