lactobacillus Hear it!

lactobacillus definition

lacto·ba·cil·lus (lak′tō bə sil′əs)

noun pl. lactobacilli -·cil′li′ (-ī′)

any of a genus (Lactobacillus) of bacteria that ferment milk, carbohydrates, etc., producing lactic acid and carbon dioxide: found as saprophytes or as parasites in the mouth, intestinal tract, and vagina of humans and other mammals

Etymology: ModL < lacto- + bacillus

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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