bacillus

Definition

Any of various rod-shaped, spore-forming aerobic bacteria in the genus Bacillus, some of which cause disease.

Etymology

Learned borrowing from Latin bacillus (“little staff, wand”), diminutive of baculum (“stick, staff, walking stick”).

Example Sentences

• "'This again,' said the Bacteriologist, slipping a glass slide under the microscope, 'is a preparation of the celebrated Bacillus of cholera - the cholera germ.'"
• ""You will conceive a bunch of grapes," said he, "which are covered by some infinitesimal but noxious bacillus."
• "The “bacillus of boom or depression,” he wrote, travels freely “from country to country.”"