Definition of bacteria

What does the word bacteria mean?

• part of speech: noun

  [Gr.] (Zool.) Short, staff-shaped, microscopic organisms, of disputed origin and nature, found in organic infusions, but not appearing if, after boiling, none but thoroughly filtered air is admitted. They are accompanied by thread-like vibriones [L.], and are, after an interval, succeeded by active, single-ciliated, spherical monads, perhaps the larvae of infusoria (q.v.).