Baccilli

/bækˈsɪli/ noun

Definition

Plural of baccillus; small berry-like structures or rod-shaped microorganisms (though usage is rare in modern science).

Etymology

From Latin baccillus, a diminutive form of bacca (berry); also related to bacillus (rod-shaped bacterium), though the two terms have somewhat different modern uses.

Kelly Says

This word shows how scientific Latin can be confusing—'baccilli' and 'bacilli' look almost identical but come from different roots, which sometimes trips up even experienced scientists.

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