diphtheroid

diph•the•roid

(ˈdɪf θəˌrɔɪd, ˈdɪp-)

adj.

1. resembling diphtheria, esp. in the formation of a false membrane in the throat.

n.

2. any bacterium, esp. of the genus Corynebacterium, that resembles the diphtheria bacillus but does not produce diphtheria toxin.

[1860–65]