bacillus (bəˈsɪləs) ![]() | |
| —n , pl -cilli | |
| 1. | coccus Compare spirillum any rod-shaped bacterium, such as a clostridium bacterium |
| 2. | any of various rodlike spore-producing bacteria constituting the family Bacillaceae, esp of the genus Bacillus |
| [C19: from Latin: a small staff, from baculum walking stick] | |
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
| a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison. |
bacillus ba·cil·lus (bə-sĭl'əs)
n. pl. ba·cil·li (-sĭl'ī')
Any of various rod-shaped, usually gram-positive aerobic bacteria of the genus Bacillus that often occur in chains and include Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax.
Any of various bacteria, especially a rod-shaped bacterium.
Bacillus (bə-sĭl'əs)
n.
A genus of rod-shaped gram-positive bacteria capable of producing endospores.
| bacillus (bə-sĭl'əs) Pronunciation Key
Plural bacilli (bə-sĭl'ī') Any of various pathogenic bacteria, especially one that is rod-shaped. |
sing. bacillus
One of three forms of bacteria, usually rod-shaped.