A type of bacteria. Namely, the rod-shaped kind (or sausage, if you prefer). Under a microscope, they can be observed in pairs (diplobacilli), or in chains (streptobacilli). Unlike cocci, they cannot found in bunches (staphylococci). They vary in thickness and length. An example of rod-shaped bacteria is E. Coli.

Ba*cil"lus (?), n.; pl. Bacilli (). [NL., for L. bacillum. See Bacillarle.] Biol.

A variety of bacterium; a microscopic, rod-shaped vegetable organism.

 

© Webster 1913.

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