microbe
|mi/crobe|
B2
🇺🇸
/ˈmaɪ.kroʊb/
🇬🇧
/ˈmaɪ.krəʊb/
tiny life form
Etymology
Etymology Information
'microbe' originates from the Greek word 'mikros,' meaning 'small,' and 'bios,' meaning 'life.'
Historical Evolution
'mikros' and 'bios' combined to form the French word 'microbe,' which was adopted into English in the late 19th century.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it referred to any small life form, but now it is primarily used to describe microscopic organisms.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a microscopic organism, especially a bacterium, virus, or fungus.
Scientists are studying the microbe to understand its effects on human health.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/02/11 11:12