bac•te•ri•a
(bækˈtɪər i ə)
n.pl., sing. -te•ri•um (-ˈtɪər i əm) any of numerous groups of microscopic one-celled organisms constituting the phylum Schizomycota, of the kingdom Monera, various species of which are involved in infectious diseases, nitrogen fixation, fermentation, or putrefaction.
[1905–10; < New Latin < Greek
baktḗria, pl. of
baktḗrion; see
bacterium]
bac•te′ri•al, adj.
bac•te′ri•al•ly, adv.
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