clostridium

[ klo-strid-ee-uh m ]
/ klɒˈstrɪd i əm /

noun, plural clos·trid·i·a [klo-strid-ee-uh] /klɒˈstrɪd i ə/. Bacteriology.

any of several rod-shaped, spore-forming, anaerobic bacteria of the genus Clostridium, found in soil and in the intestinal tract of humans and animals.

Origin of clostridium

1880–85; < New Latin < Greek klōstr-, variant stem of klōstḗr spindle ( klōs-, variant stem of klṓthein (see Clotho) + -tēr agent suffix) + New Latin -idium -idium

OTHER WORDS FROM clostridium

clos·trid·i·al, clos·trid·i·an, adjective

Words nearby clostridium

closing price, closing snap, closing time, closing volume, clostridial, clostridium, clostridium bifermentans, clostridium botulinum, clostridium difficile, clostridium histolyticum, clostridium novyi

British Dictionary definitions for clostridial

clostridium
/ (klɒˈstrɪdɪəm) /

noun plural -iums or -ia (-ɪə)

any anaerobic typically rod-shaped bacterium of the genus Clostridium, occurring mainly in soil, but also in the intestines of humans and animals: family Bacillaceae . The genus includes the species causing botulism and tetanus

Derived forms of clostridium

clostridial or clostridian, adjective

Word Origin for clostridium

C20: from New Latin, literally: small spindle, from Greek klōstēr spindle, from klōthein to spin; see -ium

Medical definitions for clostridial (1 of 2)

clostridial
[ klŏ-strĭd′ē-əl ]

adj.

Relating to a bacterium of the genus Clostridium.

Medical definitions for clostridial (2 of 2)

Clostridium
[ klŏ-strĭd′ē-əm ]

n.

A genus of rod-shaped, spore-forming, chiefly anaerobic bacteria including the nitrogen-fixing bacteria found in soil and those causing botulism and tetanus.