Inflected forms: pl. bac·te·ri·a (-tîr-) Any of the unicellular prokaryotic microorganisms of the class Schizomycetes, which vary in terms of morphology, oxygen and nutritional requirements, and motility, and may be free-living, saprophytic, or pathogenic in plants or animals.
ETYMOLOGY:
New Latin bactrium, from Greek baktrion, diminutive of baktron, rod. See bak- in Appendix I.
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