Word
coli
/ˈkoʊɫi/
Definition
n. a specific type of bacteria often found in the intestines of humans and animals. While most types are harmless, some can cause serious food poisoning.
n. a species of Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic bacteria commonly inhabiting the lower intestine of warm-blooded organisms. Usually appears as part of the binomial 'Escherichia coli'.
Examples
“The water was tested for coli bacteria to ensure it was safe.”
“Health officials traced the recent outbreak of food poisoning back to a specific batch of lettuce contaminated with E. coli.”
“While most strains of E. coli are commensal and pose no threat to the host, certain serotypes can cause severe enteric illness through the production of Shiga toxins.”
Examples
simple
“The water was tested for coli bacteria to ensure it was safe.”
contextual
“Health officials traced the recent outbreak of food poisoning back to a specific batch of lettuce contaminated with E. coli.”
complex
“While most strains of E. coli are commensal and pose no threat to the host, certain serotypes can cause severe enteric illness through the production of Shiga toxins.”
Usage
Almost exclusively used as the second part of the scientific name 'Escherichia coli' or its abbreviation 'E. coli'.
Real-World Examples
“Jung Eun Yang enzymatically converted radish by-products into radish hydrolyzate and used it as the sole feedstock for engineered Escherichia coli to produce poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P(3HB)), a biodegradable bioplastic naturally degraded by microorganisms.” “Heating to about 160F (71C) can make greens safer to consume, particularly if you’re concerned about risks posed by microorganisms like cyclospora , E coli or salmonella.” Scan code
englishreference.com/q/coli