bacillary

adjective

ba·​cil·​la·​ry ˈba-sə-ˌler-ē How to pronounce bacillary (audio) bə-ˈsi-lə-rē How to pronounce bacillary (audio)
variants or less commonly bacillar
bə-ˈsi-lər How to pronounce bacillary (audio) ˈba-sə-lər How to pronounce bacillary (audio)
1
: shaped like a rod
also : consisting of small rods
2
: of, relating to, or caused by bacilli

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin & New Latin bacillus

First Known Use

1814, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bacillary was in 1814

Rhymes for bacillary

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bacillary
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Cite this Entry

“Bacillary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bacillary. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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Medical Definition

bacillary

adjective
ba·​cil·​la·​ry ˈbas-ə-ˌler-ē How to pronounce bacillary (audio) bə-ˈsil-ə-rē How to pronounce bacillary (audio)
variants also bacillar
bə-ˈsil-ər How to pronounce bacillary (audio) ˈbas-ə-lər How to pronounce bacillary (audio)
1
: shaped like a rod
also : consisting of small rods
2
: of, relating to, or caused by bacilli
bacillary meningitis
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