archaebacteria

[ ahr-kee-bak-teer-ee-uh ]
/ ˌɑr ki bækˈtɪər i ə /

plural noun, singular ar·chae·bac·te·ri·um [ahr-kee-bak-teer-ee-uh m] /ˌɑr ki bækˈtɪər i əm/.

a group of microorganisms, including the methanogens and certain halophiles and thermoacidophiles, that have RNA sequences, coenzymes, and a cell wall composition that are different from all other organisms: considered to be an ancient form of life that evolved separately from the bacteria and blue-green algae and sometimes classified as a kingdom.
Also ar·chae·o·bac·te·ri·a [ahr-kee-oh-bak-teer-ee-uh] /ˌɑr ki oʊ bækˈtɪər i ə/.

Origin of archaebacteria

1977; < New Latin, equivalent to archae-, irregular for archaeo- archaeo- (perhaps an erroneous Latinizing of Greek arche- arche-) + bacteria bacteria

British Dictionary definitions for archaebacteria

archaebacteria
/ (ˌɑːkɪbækˈtɪərɪə) /

pl n

(formerly) a group of microorganisms now regarded as members of the Archaea See archaean

Word Origin for archaebacteria

from archaeo- + bacteria

Scientific definitions for archaebacteria

archaebacterium
[ är′kē-băk-tîrē-əm ]

Plural archaebacteria

A former name for archaeon.