zoogloea

/ˌzəʊ.əˈɡliː.ə/

zəʊ · ƏꞬLIː · ə (3 syllables)

English Noun

Definition

A colony or mass of bacteria embedded in a viscous gelatinous substance, characteristic of a transitory stage through which rapidly multiplying bacteria pass in the course of their evolution.

Etymology

From zoo- + Ancient Greek γλοία (gloía).