actinomycete
noun
ac·ti·no·my·cete ˌak-(ˌ)ti-nō-ˈmī-ˌsēt 
-mī-ˈsēt,
-tə-nō-;
ak-ˌti-nō-
: any of an order (Actinomycetales) of filamentous or rod-shaped bacteria (such as the actinomyces and streptomyces)
Word History
Etymology
taken as singular of New Latin Actinomycetes, plural of Actinomyces actinomyces
First Known Use
1883, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
actinomycete
noun
ac·ti·no·my·cete -ˈmī-ˌsēt -mī-ˈsēt
-mī-ˈsēt : a bacterium (as an actinomyces or a streptomyces) of the order Actinomycetales see actinomycosis