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clostridium
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:
- clostridial clos·trid′·ial adjective
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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