(ˌ)bakˌtirēˈāsēˌē noun plural
Usage: capitalized
Etymology: New Latin, from Bacterium, type genus + -aceae
1. in some classifications : a large family of rod-shaped usually gram-negative bacteria (order Eubacteriales) that produce no spores and have a complex metabolism utilizing amino acids and generally carbohydrates
2. in former classifications : a family comprising all simple cylindrical bacteria lacking a sheath and including Bacteriaceae, Bacillus, and a number of other groups
• bac·te·ri·a·ceous (ˈ) ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷|āshəs adjective