bacillus

/bəˈsɪləs/
noun
  1. A type of rod-shaped bacterium, often used to refer to bacteria in general, especially those that can cause disease.
    • The lab technician identified the bacillus under the microscope.
    • Some strains of the bacillus can cause serious infections in humans.
    • The scientist studied how the bacillus survives in extreme environments.
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