clostridium Hear it!

clostridium definition

clos·trid·ium (kläs trid′ē əm)

noun pl. clostridia -·trid′ia (-ə)

any of a large genus (Clostridium) of spore-forming, anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria, many of which produce toxins, including those causing tetanus and botulism

Etymology: ModL < Gr klōstēr, a spindle (see Clotho) + ModL -idium, dim. suffix < Gr -idion: so named from its shape

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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