bacteriophage

[ bak-teer-ee-uh-feyj ]
/ bækˈtɪər i əˌfeɪdʒ /

noun

any of a group of viruses that infect specific bacteria, usually causing their disintegration or dissolution.
Also called phage.

Origin of bacteriophage

From the French word bactériophage, dating back to 1920–25. See bacterio-, -phage

OTHER WORDS FROM bacteriophage

bac·te·ri·o·phag·ic [bak-teer-ee-uh-faj-ik, -fey-jik] /bækˌtɪər i əˈfædʒ ɪk, -ˈfeɪ dʒɪk/, bac·te·ri·oph·a·gous [bak-teer-ee-of-uh-guh s] /bækˌtɪər iˈɒf ə gəs/, adjective bac·te·ri·oph·a·gy [bak-teer-ee-of-uh-jee] /bækˌtɪər iˈɒf ə dʒi/, noun

Words nearby bacteriophage

bacteriological warfare, bacteriology, bacteriolysin, bacteriolysis, bacteriopexy, bacteriophage, bacteriopsonin, bacteriorhodopsin, bacterioscopy, bacteriosis, bacteriostasis

British Dictionary definitions for bacteriophage

bacteriophage
/ (bækˈtɪərɪəˌfeɪdʒ) /

noun

a virus that is parasitic in a bacterium and multiplies within its host, which is destroyed when the new viruses are released Often shortened to: phage

Derived forms of bacteriophage

bacteriophagic (bækˌtɪərɪəˈfædʒɪk), adjective bacteriophagous (bækˌtɪərɪˈɒfəɡəs), adjective

Medical definitions for bacteriophage

bacteriophage
[ băk-tîr′ē-ə-fāj′ ]

n.

A virus capable of infecting and lysing bacterial cells. phage

Scientific definitions for bacteriophage

bacteriophage
[ băk-tîr′ē-ə-fāj′ ]

A virus that infects and destroys bacterial cells.