pro·phage (pr  f j )n. The latent form of a bacteriophage in which the viral genes are incorporated into the bacterial chromosomes without causing disruption of the bacterial cell. [Short for French probactériophage : Greek pro-, before; see pro-2 + French bactériophage, bacteriophage; see bacterio- + Greek -phagos, -phage.] |
prophage [ˈprəʊfeɪdʒ]
n
(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Microbiology) a virus that exists in a bacterial cell and undergoes division with its host without destroying it Compare bacteriophage
[by contraction from French probactériophage; see pro-2, bacteriophage]
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