clostridium

[klo-strid-ee-uhm]

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.

clostridium

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• clostridial adjective
• clostridian adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of clostridium¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of clostridium¹

C20: from New Latin, literally: small spindle, from Greek klōstēr spindle, from klōthein to spin; see _-ium

Example Sentences

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

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

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

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

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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.

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