bacteria
bacteria
Definition
bac·te·ria (bak tir′ē ə)
-·rium-əm or -·ria
any of a division (Bacteria) of monerans, microorganisms which are typically one-celled, have no chlorophyll, multiply by simple division, and can be seen only with a microscope: they occur in three main forms, spherical (cocci), rod-shaped (bacilli), and spiral (spirilla): some bacteria cause diseases such as pneumonia and anthrax, and others are necessary for fermentation, nitrogen fixation, etc.
Etymology: ModL, pl. of bacterium < Gr baktērion, dim. of baktron, a staff: see bacillus
bac·te′·rial adjective
bac·te′·ri·ally adverb
bacteria
Synonyms
