n. Any of many rod-shaped, aerobic bacteria, of the genus Mycobacterium, that cause diseases such as tuberculosis and leprosy.
the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
n. Any of various rod-shaped bacteria, some saprophytic or causing diseases.
The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
n. A genus proposed by Lehmann-Neumann to include certain pathogenic bacteria, as Bacterium lepræ: regarded as synonymous with the genus Bacterium, in which it is included by Migula.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
n. rod-shaped bacteria some saprophytic or causing diseases
Word Usage
"Dr. METERSKY: He also grew a type of bacteria called a mycobacterium, sort of a cousin of tuberculosis."