pen·i·cil·li·um (p n  -sl  - m)n. pl. pen·i·cil·li·ums or pen·i·cil·li·a (-s l-) Any of various characteristically bluish-green fungi of the genus Penicillium that grow as molds on decaying fruits and ripening cheese and are used in the production of penicillin and in making cheese. [New Latin P nicillium, genus name, from Latin pnicillus, brush; see pencil.] |
penicillium [ˌpɛnɪˈsɪlɪəm]
n pl -cilliums, -cillia [-ˈsɪlɪə]
(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) any ascomycetous saprotrophic fungus of the genus Penicillium, which commonly grow as a green or blue mould on stale food: some species are used in cheese-making and others as a source of penicillin
[New Latin, from Latin pēnicillus tuft of hairs; named from the tufted appearance of the sporangia of this fungus]
| penicillium (pn-sl-m) Plural penicilliums or penicillia Any of various bluish-green fungi of the genus Penicillium, that grow as molds on decaying fruits, ripening cheeses, and bread, and are used to produce penicillin and certain other antibiotics. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  Penicillium - genus of fungi commonly growing as green or blue molds on decaying food; used in making cheese and as a source of penicillinfungus genus - includes lichen genera family Moniliaceae, Moniliaceae - family of imperfect fungi having white or brightly colored hyphae and spores that are produced directly on the mycelium and not aggregated in fruiting bodies |
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