coliform
1
6.8
- adjective
- /ˈkoʊləˌfɔrm/
- Specialized
- The water sample tested positive for coliform bacteria.
Examples
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A coliform test is often used to check for contamination in public pools.
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Is this food safe to eat if it contains coliform bacteria?
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The laboratory found a high coliform count in the drinking water sample.
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Health inspectors monitor coliform levels to ensure food safety in restaurants.
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The laboratory found a high coliform count in the drinking water sample.
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A coliform test is often used to check for contamination in public pools.
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Health inspectors monitor coliform levels to ensure food safety in restaurants.
Antonyms
Surface Forms
Morphology
coliform = coli (semi-transparent) = coli + form
The suffix '-form' meaning 'shape/like' is clear, but the base 'coli' names a specific bacterium or is a technical combining form that may be unfamiliar to average learners.
Etymology
Coliform comes from coli, from the word 'colon' meaning the large intestine, and -form which means 'shape' or 'like'. It literally means 'like those from the colon', so as an adjective it describes bacteria that come from the gut and that's why 'coliform' counts are used to show possible contamination in water and food.