“+ noun
Etymology: New Latin, from thi- + bacillus
1. capitalized : a genus of small rod-shaped bacteria (family Thiobacteriaceae) that live in water, sewage, and soils, derive energy from oxidation of sulfides, thiosulfates, or elemental sulfur, and obtain carbon from carbon dioxide, bicarbonates, or carbonates in solution
2. plural thiobacilli : any member of the genus Thiobacillus