n.
Pronunciation: ˌ strep-t ō -b ə - ' si-l ə s
Function: noun
Etymology: New Latin
Date: 1897
: any of a genus ( Streptobacillus ) of nonmotile gram-negative rod-shaped bacteria in which the individual cells are often joined in a chain especially : one ( S. moniliformis ) that is the causative agent of one form of rat-bite fever