clos·trid·i·um (kl -str d  - m)n. pl. clos·trid·i·a (- -) Any of various rod-shaped, spore-forming, chiefly anaerobic bacteria of the genus Clostridium, such as the nitrogen-fixing bacteria found in soil and those causing botulism and tetanus. [New Latin Cl  stridium, genus name, from Greek klstr, klstr-, spindle, from klthein, to spin.]clos·trid i·al (-l) adj. |
clostridium [klɒˈstrɪdɪəm]
n pl -iums, -ia [-ɪə]
(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Microbiology) any anaerobic typically rod-shaped bacterium of the genus Clostridium, occurring mainly in soil, but also in the intestines of humans and animals: family Bacillaceae. The genus includes the species causing botulism and tetanus
[from New Latin, literally: small spindle, from Greek klōstēr spindle, from klōthein to spin; see -ium]
clostridial , clostridian adj
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | clostridium - spindle-shaped bacterial cell especially one swollen at the center by an endospore eubacteria, eubacterium, true bacteria - a large group of bacteria having rigid cell walls; motile types have flagella genus Clostridium - anaerobic or micro-aerophilic rod-shaped or spindle-shaped saprophytes; nearly cosmopolitan in soil, animal intestines, and dung |
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