First Known Use: 1882
Dictionary
actinomyces
noun ac·ti·no·my·ces \ˌak-(ˌ)ti-nō-ˈmī-ˌsēz, -tə-nō-; ak-ˌti-nō-\
plural actinomyces
Definition of 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
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Origin of ACTINOMYCES
New Latin, genus name, from actin- + Greek mykēt-, mykēs fungus; akin to Greek myxa mucus — more at mucus
Medical Dictionary
actinomyces
noun ac·ti·no·my·ces \ˌak-tə-(ˌ)nō-ˈmī-ˌsēz, ak-ˌtin-ō-\
Medical Definition of ACTINOMYCES
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
—ac·ti·no·my·ce·tal \-ˌmī-ˈsēt-əl\ adjective
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