Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Nearby Words

penicillium

 - 6 dictionary results

pen⋅i⋅cil⋅li⋅um

  [pen-uh-sil-ee-uhm]
Use penicillium in a Sentence
–noun, plural -cil⋅li⋅ums, -cil⋅li⋅a  [-sil-ee-uh] .
any fungus of the genus Penicillium, certain species of which are used in cheesemaking and as the source of penicillin.
Origin:
1925–30; < NL, equiv. to L pēnicill(us) brush (see pencil ) + -ium -ium
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To penicillium
pen·i·cil·li·um   (pěn'ĭ-sĭl'ē-əm)   
n.   pl. pen·i·cil·li·ums or pen·i·cil·li·a (-sĭl'ē-ə)
Any of various characteristically bluish-green fungi of the genus Penicillium that grow as molds on decaying fruits and ripening cheese and are used in the production of penicillin and in making cheese.

[New Latin Pēnicillium, genus name, from Latin pēnicillus, brush; see pencil.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: pen·i·cil·li·um
Pronunciation: "pen-&-'sil-E-&m
Function: noun
1 capitalized : a genus offungi of the family Moniliaceae comprising the blue molds found chiefly on moist nonliving organic matter (as decaying fruit), characterized by the erect branching conidiophores ending in tufts ofclub-shaped cells from which conidia are formed in chains, and including molds useful in economic fermentation and the production of antibiotics
2 plural pen·i·cil·lia /-E-&/ : any mold of the genus Penicillium
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

penicillium pen·i·cil·li·um (pěn'ĭ-sĭl'ē-əm)
n. pl. pen·i·cil·li·ums or pen·i·cil·li·a (-sĭl'ē-ə)
Any of various bluish-green fungi of the genus Penicillium that grow as molds on decaying fruits and ripening cheese and are used in the production of penicillin.

Penicillium n.
A genus of fungi of the class Ascomycetes, some species of which yield several antibiotic substances and biologics.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Science Dictionary
penicillium   (pěn'ĭ-sĭl'ē-əm)  Pronunciation Key 
Plural penicilliums or penicillia
Any of various bluish-green fungi of the genus Penicillium, that grow as molds on decaying fruits, ripening cheeses, and bread, and are used to produce penicillin and certain other antibiotics.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see penicillium on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way