bacillus Definition
- 1a rod-shaped bacterium
- 2a disease-causing bacterium
Using bacillus: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "bacillus" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The bacillus was identified as the cause of the outbreak.
Example
Bacillus anthracis is the causative agent of anthrax.
Example
The patient was diagnosed with a bacillus infection.
bacillus Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with bacillus
gram-positive bacillus
a type of bacillus that retains the crystal violet stain used in the Gram stain method of bacterial differentiation
Example
The gram-positive bacillus was identified as Bacillus subtilis.
spore-forming bacillus
a type of bacillus that can form spores, which are highly resistant to heat, radiation, and disinfectants
Example
The spore-forming bacillus was identified as Bacillus cereus.
a type of bacillus that can cause disease in humans, animals, or plants
Example
The pathogenic bacillus was identified as Bacillus anthracis.
Origins of bacillus
from Latin 'bacillum', meaning 'little staff'
Summary: bacillus in Brief
The term 'bacillus' [bəˈsɪləs] refers to a rod-shaped bacterium, often disease-causing. It includes types like 'gram-positive bacillus,' which retains the crystal violet stain used in the Gram stain method of bacterial differentiation, 'spore-forming bacillus,' which can form highly resistant spores, and 'pathogenic bacillus,' which can cause disease in humans, animals, or plants.