Bacteria

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /bakˈtɪə̯.ri.ə/

Definitions

1. Microscopic organisms that exist as single cells, some of which contribute positively to health or ecosystems, while others may cause disease as pathogens
2. Single-celled life forms that participate in various biological processes, being essential in nutrient recycling and health, yet capable of acting as harmful agents
3. Tiny living cells found almost everywhere that can support life functions or cause infections

Etymology: Bacteria were named in 1838 by the German naturalist Christian Gottfried Ehrenberg, who gave the name to these tiny organisms, which he could see only through a microscope. The name comes from New Latin "bactērium," a coinage built on the Ancient Greek "baktēríon," meaning "little rod," itself a diminutive of "baktēría," "rod" or "stick." Ehrenberg's choice reflected the appearance of the organisms he saw, many of which looked like short, straight sticks under the lens. The word is the plural of "bactērium," so English treats "bacteria" as a plural even in ordinary speech, though "bacterium" is the singular. The Greek root is the source for a group of scientific terms that describe shape and microscopic form, all drawn from classical vocabulary but made in modern times.

Synonyms: microbes, germs, pathogens, organisms, unicellular