ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌthriks noun
Etymology: New Latin, from lept- + -thrix
1. capitalized : a genus of sheathed filamentous bacteria (family Chlamydobacteriaceae) that are unbranched or exhibit false branching, that multiply by division or by motile swarmers, and that have the sheath encrusted with ferric hydroxide — see leptotrichia
2. plural lep·to·trich·ia ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈtrikēə also lep·tot·ri·ches lepˈtä.trəˌkēz : a bacterium of the genus Leptothrix