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clostridium

[ klo-strid-ee-uhm ]

noun

, Bacteriology.
, plural clos·trid·i·a [klo-, strid, -ee-, uh].
  1. any of several rod-shaped, spore-forming, anaerobic bacteria of the genus Clostridium, found in soil and in the intestinal tract of humans and animals.


clostridium

/ klɒˈstrɪdɪəm /

noun

  1. 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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Derived Forms

  • closˈtridial, adjective
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Other Words From

  • clos·tridi·al clos·tridi·an adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of clostridium1

1880–85; < New Latin < Greek klōstr-, variant stem of klōstḗr spindle ( klōs-, variant stem of klṓthein ( Clotho ) + -tēr agent suffix) + New Latin -idium -idium
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Word History and Origins

Origin of clostridium1

C20: from New Latin, literally: small spindle, from Greek klōstēr spindle, from klōthein to spin; see -ium
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Example Sentences

Botulism is caused by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, a hardy anaerobe.

For the spores of Clostridium tetani, the culture should be three days old, but may be as old as a week.

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closing timeClostridium difficile