pro·phage   (prō'fāj')    n.  The latent form of a bacteriophage in which the viral genes are incorporated into the bacterial chromosomes without causing disruption of the bacterial cell. [Short for French probactériophage : Greek pro-, before; see pro-2 + French bactériophage, bacteriophage; see bacterio- + Greek -phagos, -phage.]

Main Entry: pro·phage
Pronunciation: 'prO-"fAj, -"fäzh
Function: noun
: an intracellular form of a bacteriophage in which it is harmless to thehost, is usually integrated into the hereditary material of the host, and reproduces when the host does

prophage pro·phage (prō'fāj')
n.
The latent form of a bacteriophage in which viral genes are incorporated into bacterial chromosomes disrupting the bacterial cell. Also called probacteriophage.