Beggiatoa

noun

Beg·​giatoa

bə-ˈja-tə-wə,

ˌbe-jə-ˈtō-ə

: a genus (the type of the family Beggiatoaceae) of colorless filamentous sulfur bacteria of the order Beggiatoales that in form and motility resemble algae of the family Oscillatoriaceae and that often form thick mats of unsheathed filaments in swamps, sulfur springs, and seawater

beggiatoaceous

bə-¦ja-tə-¦wā-shəs

¦be-jə-ˌtō-¦ā-

adjective

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from F. S. Beggiato, 19th century Italian botanist

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