aerobe

noun

aer·​obe ˈer-ˌōb How to pronounce aerobe (audio)
: an organism (such as a bacterium) that lives only in the presence of oxygen

Word History

Etymology

alteration (probably conformed to microbe) of French aérobie "living only in the presence of oxygen," from aéro- aero- + -bie (as in amphibie amphibious), borrowed from Greek -bios "having (such a) life," adjective derivative of bíos "life" — more at quick entry 1

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of aerobe was in 1883

Dictionary Entries Near aerobe

aerobatics

aerobe

aerobia

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Cite this Entry

“Aerobe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aerobe. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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Medical Definition

aerobe

noun
aer·​obe ˈa(-ə)r-ˌōb, ˈe(-ə)r- How to pronounce aerobe (audio)
: an organism (as a bacterium) that lives only in the presence of oxygen

More from Merriam-Webster on aerobe

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about aerobe

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