actinomycete

ac·ti·no·my·cete  (kt-n-mst, -m-st)

n.

Any of various filamentous or rod-shaped, often pathogenic microorganisms of the order Actinomycetales that are found in soil and resemble bacteria and fungi.

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acti·no·my·cetal (-m-stl), acti·no·my·cetous adj.

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actinomycete [ˌæktɪnəʊmaɪˈsiːt]

n

(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Microbiology) any bacterium of the group Actinomycetes, usually filamentous in form

[from actino- + -mycete]

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actinomycete  (kt-n-mst)

Any of various bacteria belonging to the phylum Actinobacteria that grow as branching filaments resembling fungal hyphae and are found in soil. The filaments often grow in colonies but sometimes break off into rod-shaped structures. Many species of actinomycetes produce important antibiotics such as streptomycin, while others are pathogenic in humans and other animals, especially for skin diseases. One species lives symbiotically in the roots of alders and conducts nitrogen fixation. Because of their resemblance to fungi, actinomycetes were once classified as fungi.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

actinomycete - any bacteria (some of which are pathogenic for humans and animals) belonging to the order Actinomycetales animal, animate being, beast, creature, fauna, brute - a living organism characterized by voluntary movement eubacteria, eubacterium, true bacteria - a large group of bacteria having rigid cell walls; motile types have flagella Actinomycetales, order Actinomycetales - filamentous or rod-shaped bacteria streptomyces - aerobic bacteria (some of which produce the antibiotic streptomycin)