bacilliform

9.9

Shaped like a small rod, often seen in bacteria and tiny cells

adjective
/bəˈsɪlɪˌfɔrm/

Specialized

: baciliforme

The bacilliform bacteria were observed under the microscope.

Examples

Researchers identified a bacilliform structure in the new microorganism.
Some bacilliform shapes can be seen in the lab cultures.
Many bacteria exhibit a bacilliform appearance under the microscope.
The bacilliform virus infected the plant tissue, causing it to wilt.
Many bacteria exhibit a bacilliform appearance under the microscope.
Researchers identified a bacilliform structure in the new microorganism.
The bacilliform bacteria were observed under the microscope.

Synonyms

rod-shaped

vsbacilliform

1 4.4

Shaped like a long thin straight stick

is used especially for bacterial or microscopic contexts rather than general objects

baculiform

vsbacilliform

Specialized

9.9

Shaped like a long thin rod

focuses more on bacterial or microscopic usage than general shape

bacillar

vsbacilliform

Specialized

9.9

Relating to, caused by, or shaped like long thin bacteria

is limited to describing shape rather than relation or origin

bacillary

vsbacilliform

Specialized

9.9

Relating to rod-shaped bacteria, for example an infection

narrows this to shape especially when describing microscopic organisms

How Rod-shaped

bacilliform

Specialized

9.9

elongated

9 4.5

oval

38 1.0

spherical

18 4.2

Surface Forms

bacilliform positive

Morphology

bacilliform = bacillus (transparent) = bacill + form

Meaning is directly built from the base 'bacillus' + the productive suffix '-form' (with a linking 'i'), yielding 'shaped like a bacillus'.

Etymology

Bacilliform comes from bacillus, a Latin word meaning 'little rod'. Because many bacteria look like tiny rods or sticks under a microscope, bacilliform means 'rod-shaped', especially when we talk about bacteria or very small structures.