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diphtheroid

[dif-thuh-roid, dip-]
adjective Pathology.
  1. resembling diphtheria, especially in the formation of a false membrane in the throat.
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noun
  1. any bacterium, especially of the genus Corynebacterium, that resembles the diphtheria bacillus but does not produce diphtheria toxin.
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Origin of diphtheroid

First recorded in 1860–65; diphther(ia) + -oid
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
diphtheroids in Medicine

diphtheroid

(dĭf′thə-roid′)
n.
  1. A local infection that resembles diphtheria, especially in the formation of a false membrane, but that is caused by a microorganism other than Corynebacterium diphtheriae.pseudodiphtheria
  2. Any of various microorganisms resembling Corynebacterium diphtheriae.
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Related formsdiph′the•roid′ adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.