ETYM New Lat., for Latin bacillum. Related to Bacillarle.
(Irregular plural: bacilli).
Rod-shaped bacterium, especially causing disease.
Aerobic rod-shaped spore-producing bacterium; often occurring in chainlike formations; SYN. bacilli, B.
Member of a group of rodlike bacteria that occur everywhere in the soil and air. Some are responsible for diseases such as anthrax or for causing food spoilage.