actinomycete
|ac-ti-no-my-cete|
C1
🇺🇸
/ˌæk.tɪ.noʊˈmaɪ.siːt/
🇬🇧
/ˌæk.tɪ.nəʊˈmaɪ.siːt/
bacteria resembling fungi
Etymology
Etymology Information
'actinomycete' originates from Greek, specifically the words 'aktis' meaning 'ray' and 'mykes' meaning 'fungus'.
Historical Evolution
'actinomycete' was derived from the Greek words 'aktis' and 'mykes', and eventually became the modern English word 'actinomycete'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it referred to 'ray fungus', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a group of bacteria resembling fungi'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a group of gram-positive bacteria that form branching filaments, similar to fungi.
Actinomycetes are known for their role in decomposing organic matter in soil.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/04/30 09:06