Dictionary Home »
Webster's New World College Dictionary » bacillus
bacillus
bacillus definition
ba·cil·lus (bə sil′əs)
noun pl. bacilli -·cil′li′ (-ī)
- any of a genus (Bacillus) of rod-shaped bacteria that occur in chains, produce spores, and are active only in the presence of oxygen
- any rod-shaped bacterium
- loosely any of the bacteria, esp. those causing disease
Etymology: ModL < LL, little rod < L bacillum, dim. of baculus, var. of baculum, a stick < IE base *bak-, staff > peg, Gr baktron
Browse dictionary definitions near bacillus
Also Mentioned In