clostridium

[ klo-strid-ee-uhm ]

noun

, Bacteriology.

, plural clos·trid·i·a [klo-, strid, -ee-, uh].

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

Derived Forms

• closˈtridial, adjective

Other Words From

• clos·tridi·al clos·tridi·an 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 caused by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, a hardy anaerobe.

From The Daily Beast

For the spores of Clostridium tetani, the culture should be three days old, but may be as old as a week.

From Project Gutenberg