bacilli

Intermediate 🏥 Healthcare / Medical

Definition

The plural of bacillus, referring to rod-shaped bacteria that form spores and sometimes cause diseases like anthrax. While the singular sounds like a fancy Italian pasta, these microscopic rods are far less appetizing. The term has been stretched metaphorically to describe anything that spreads as insidiously as a bacterial infection, like bad office gossip.

Example Usage

Under the microscope, the bacilli appeared as distinct rod-shaped organisms, confirming the doctor's suspicion of a bacterial infection.

Source: Medical microbiology terminology

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