klebsiella

noun

kleb·​si·​el·​la ˌkleb-zē-ˈe-lə 

: any of a genus (Klebsiella) of nonmotile enterobacteria that includes causative agents of respiratory and urogenital infections

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Edwin Klebs †1913 German pathologist

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

klebsiella

noun

kleb·​si·​el·​la ˌkleb-zē-ˈel-ə 

1

capitalized : a genus of nonmotile gram-negative rod-shaped and frequently encapsulated bacteria of the family Enterobacteriaceae that include causative agents of respiratory and urinary infections see donovan body, pneumobacillus

2

: any bacterium of the genus Klebsiella