Tubercle bacillus

Tubercle bacillus
Tubercle Tu"ber*cle, n. [L. tuberculum, dim. of tuber: cf. F. tubercule, OF. also tubercle. See {Tuber}.] [1913 Webster] 1. A small knoblike prominence or excrescence, whether natural or morbid; as, a tubercle on a plant; a tubercle on a bone; the tubercles appearing on the body in leprosy. [1913 Webster]

2. (Med.) A small mass or aggregation of morbid matter; especially, the deposit which accompanies scrofula or phthisis. This is composed of a hard, grayish, or yellowish, translucent or opaque matter, which gradually softens, and excites suppuration in its vicinity. It is most frequently found in the lungs, causing consumption. [1913 Webster]

{Tubercle bacillus} (Med.), a minute vegetable organism ({Mycobacterium tuberculosis}, formerly {Bacillus tuberculosis}, and also called {Koch's bacillus}) discovered by Koch, a German physician, in the sputum of consumptive patients and in tuberculous tissue. It is the causative agent of tuberculosis. [1913 Webster +PJC]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • tubercle bacillus — n a bacterium of the genus Mycobacterium (M. tuberculosis) that causes tuberculosis in humans also a related mycobacterium (M. bovis) that causes tuberculosis in cattle and sometimes humans esp. in underdeveloped countries * * * Mycobacterium… …   Medical dictionary

  • tubercle bacillus — ► NOUN ▪ the bacterium that causes tuberculosis …   English terms dictionary

  • tubercle bacillus — n. the bacterium (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) causing tuberculosis …   English World dictionary

  • tubercle bacillus — noun Date: circa 1890 a bacterium (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that is a major cause of tuberculosis …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • tubercle bacillus — the bacterium, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, causing tuberculosis. [1895 1900] * * * …   Universalium

  • tubercle bacillus — bacterium which causes tuberculosis (Medicine) …   English contemporary dictionary

  • tubercle bacillus — noun the bacterium that causes tuberculosis. [Mycobacterium tuberculosis.] …   English new terms dictionary

  • tubercle bacillus — tu′bercle bacil lus n. mcr the bacterium, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, causing tuberculosis • Etymology: 1895–1900 …   From formal English to slang

  • tubercle bacillus — /tjubəkəl bəˈsɪləs/ (say tyoohbuhkuhl buh siluhs) noun the bacterium, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, causing tuberculosis …  

  • tubercle bacillus — noun cause of tuberculosis • Syn: ↑Mycobacterium tuberculosis • Hypernyms: ↑mycobacteria, ↑mycobacterium …   Useful english dictionary

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