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English

biofilm

|bi/o/film|

C1

🇺🇸

/ˈbaɪ.oʊ.fɪlm/

🇬🇧

/ˈbaɪ.əʊ.fɪlm/

microbial layer

Etymology
Etymology Information

'biofilm' originates from the combination of 'bio-' meaning 'life' and 'film' meaning 'a thin layer'.

Historical Evolution

The term 'biofilm' was coined in the late 20th century to describe microbial communities that form on surfaces.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it referred to any biological film, but now it specifically denotes microbial communities on surfaces.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a thin, slimy film of bacteria that adheres to a surface.

Biofilms can form on medical devices, posing a risk of infection.

Synonyms

Last updated: 2025/01/18 13:11