phage

¹

[ feyj ]

noun

1. bacteriophage.

-phage

²

1. a combining form meaning “a thing that devours,” used in the formation of compound words, especially the names of phagocytes:

   macrophage.

-phage

¹

combining form

1. indicating something that eats or consumes something specified

   bacteriophage

phage

²

/ feɪdʒ /

noun

1. short for bacteriophage

Derived Forms

• -phagous, combining_form:in_adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of phage¹

By shortening, or independent use of -phage

Origin of phage²

Noun use of Greek -phagos -phagous

Word History and Origins

Origin of phage¹

from Greek -phagos; see phago-

Example Sentences

Zeldovich details the personal stories of the men who first recognized phages’ potential before moving into their modern rediscovery and ongoing development in the U.S.

From Salon

"We wanted to find out if the low numbers of SAR11 were caused by phages, that is viruses that specifically infect bacteria," explains Jan Brüwer, who conducted the study as part of his doctoral thesis.

From Science Daily

One of the advantages of phage therapy, which uses viruses to kill bacteria, "is that unlike antibiotics which need to be given repeatedly, it has this mechanism of self-amplification," Zamora continues.

From Science Daily

From the Greek word for "devour," phages are sometimes used to kill bacteria.

From Science Daily

It also includes a coda about phage therapy, a promising advance against AMR.

From Los Angeles Times