Word
bacillus
Phoneticsbacil·lus
US/bəˈsɪɫəs/
UK/bˈæsɪləs/
Definition
n. a type of bacteria that is shaped like a small rod. These tiny organisms are found almost everywhere in nature, including in soil and water.
n. a rod-shaped bacterium, typically belonging to the genus Bacillus. These prokaryotes are often motile and can form endospores, allowing them to survive in harsh environments.
Examples
“The scientist identified a bacillus in the soil sample.”
“Certain species of bacillus are used in the production of antibiotics and other industrial enzymes.”
“While many bacillus strains are harmless or even beneficial to the ecosystem, some can cause serious infections in humans if they enter the bloodstream through a wound.”
Examples
simple
“The scientist identified a bacillus in the soil sample.”
contextual
“Certain species of bacillus are used in the production of antibiotics and other industrial enzymes.”
complex
“While many bacillus strains are harmless or even beneficial to the ecosystem, some can cause serious infections in humans if they enter the bloodstream through a wound.”
Etymology
Learned borrowing from Latin bacillus (“little staff, wand”), diminutive of baculum (“stick, staff, walking stick”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.