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colon bacillus

[koh-luh n]
noun Bacteriology.
  1. coliform bacillus.

Origin of colon bacillus

First recorded in 1905–10
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
colon bacillus in Medicine

colon bacillus

n.
  1. A rod-shaped bacterium, especially Escherichia coli, a generally nonpathogenic commensal found in all vertebrate intestinal tracts, but which can be virulent, causing diarrhea and other dysenteric symptoms. Its presence in water is an indicator of fecal contamination.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.