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Bacteria
//bakˈtɪə̯.ri.ə// noun, slang
Definitions
Noun
- 1 plural of bacterium form-of, plural
- 2 A type, species, or strain of bacterium. US
"Anaerobic bacteria function in the absence of oxygen, where as aerobic bacteria require sunlight and also oxygen. Both these bacterias are capable of breaking down the organic matter […]"
- 3 An oval bacterium, as distinguished from a spherical coccus or rod-shaped bacillus. dated
- 4 (microbiology) single-celled or noncellular spherical or spiral or rod-shaped organisms lacking chlorophyll that reproduce by fission; important as pathogens and for biochemical properties; taxonomy is difficult; often considered to be plants wordnet
- 5 Alternative form of bacterium. US, alt-of, alternative, proscribed
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- 6 Lowlife, slob (could be treated as plural or singular). derogatory, slang
Etymology
Etymology 1
Borrowed from New Latin bacteria, plural of bactērium, from Ancient Greek βακτήριον (baktḗrion, “little rod”).
Etymology 2
Borrowed from New Latin bacteria, plural of bactērium, from Ancient Greek βακτήριον (baktḗrion, “little rod”).
Etymology 3
From New Latin bactēria, from Ancient Greek βακτηρίᾱ (baktēríā, “rod, stick”).
See also for "bacteria"
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Unscramble this word: bacteria