actinomyces

noun

ac·​ti·​no·​my·​ces ˌak-(ˌ)ti-nō-ˈmī-ˌsēz 

-tə-nō-;

ak-ˌti-nō-

plural actinomyces

: any of a genus (Actinomyces) of filamentous or rod-shaped bacteria that includes usually commensal and sometimes pathogenic forms inhabiting mucosal surfaces especially of the oral cavity of warm-blooded vertebrates

Examples of actinomyces in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Nestled within the dung and dirt was an actinomyces bacteria that issued prominent fungicidal activity against both Candida and Cryptococcus. —Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 1 Sep. 2015

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, genus name, from actino- actino- + -myces -myces

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

actinomyces

noun

ac·​ti·​no·​my·​ces ˌak-tə-(ˌ)nō-ˈmī-ˌsēz  ak-ˌtin-ō- 

1

capitalized : a genus of filamentous or rod-shaped gram-positive bacteria of the family Actinomycetaceae that includes usually commensal and sometimes pathogenic forms inhabiting mucosal surfaces especially of the oral cavity compare actinomycosis

2

plural actinomyces : a bacterium of the genus Actinomyces

actinomycetal

-ˌmī-ˈsēt-ᵊl 

adjective