streptomycete

noun

strep·​to·​my·​cete ˌstrep-tə-ˈmī-ˌsēt 

-ˌmī-ˈsēt

: any of a family (Streptomycetaceae) of actinomycetes (such as a streptomyces) that form vegetative mycelia which rarely break up into bacillary forms, have conidia borne on sporophores, and are typically aerobic soil saprophytes but include a few parasites of plants and animals

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Streptomycet-, Streptomyces, genus name

First Known Use

1948, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

streptomycete

noun

strep·​to·​my·​cete -ˈmī-ˌsēt, -ˌmī-ˈsēt 

: any actinomycete (as a streptomyces) of the family Streptomycetaceae