azotobacter
|a-zo-to-bac-ter|
🇺🇸
/ˌæzəˈtoʊˌbæktər/
🇬🇧
/ˌæzəʊtəˈbæktə/
nitrogen-fixing soil bacterium
Etymology
'azotobacter' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'Azotobacter', where 'azoto-' derived from French 'azote' (from Greek a- 'not' + zōē 'life') meant 'nitrogen' and 'bacter' came from Greek 'baktērion' meaning 'little rod'.
'azotobacter' was coined in scientific New Latin in the 19th century as a compound of 'azoto-' (relating to azote/nitrogen) and 'bacter' (rod); this formation entered modern English usage as the genus name 'Azotobacter' for certain nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria.
Initially, the elements literally suggested 'nitrogen rod' (a formation referring to nitrogen-associated rod-shaped microbes), but over time it evolved into the technical name for a genus of nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a genus of free-living, nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria that convert atmospheric nitrogen into forms plants can use; often found in soil and known for producing large cells and cysts.
Azotobacter plays an important role in improving soil fertility by fixing atmospheric nitrogen.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/08 07:16