bacilli

ba-cil-li · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    Plural of bacillus; rod-shaped bacteria.

  2. 2.

    Disease-causing bacteria, especially those with a rod-like shape.

Related words

See also: bacillus, bacteria, microorganism
Synonyms: bacteria, germs, microbes

Etymology

From Latin bacilli, plural of bacillum, diminutive of baculus meaning "stick" or "rod."