forming square groups of four, as certain micrococci.

Pertaining to, or capable of producing or undergoing, lysis (sense 3); spec. applied to a bacterium which, without being attacked by a phage, can…

producing or generating poison.

Of an organism, esp. a bacterium: that flourishes at low temperatures. Also: relating to such organisms. Cf. psychrophilic, adj.

Of various English words. Bacteriology. In form R (without point). = rough, adj. 5.

Bacteriology. Designating bacteria and bacterial colonies that have undergone a change in cell surface composition while being grown in culture…

Specialized uses in the sciences. Bacteriology. Applied to a bacterial phenotype characterized by smooth-looking colonies of regular outline, and by…

(of a process or micro-organism) bringing about the reduction of sulphate ions to sulphur; spec. applied to bacteria of the genera Desulphovibrio and…

(of bacteria etc.) capable of surviving high temperatures, esp. those of pasteurization.

In lac−: designating a bacterium that lacks the ability to metabolize lactose, and the condition of being unable to metabolize lactose; = lactose-neg…

Biology. Of a bacterium: that has been induced (see induce, v. 4e).

Biology. Of a bacterium: capable of being induced (induce, v. 4e).