actinomyces
noun
ac·ti·no·my·ces ˌak-(ˌ)ti-nō-ˈmī-ˌsēz 
-tə-nō-;
ak-ˌti-nō-
plural actinomyces
: any of a genus (Actinomyces) of filamentous or rod-shaped bacteria that includes usually commensal and sometimes pathogenic forms inhabiting mucosal surfaces especially of the oral cavity of warm-blooded vertebrates
Word History
Etymology
borrowed from New Latin, genus name, from actino- actino- + -myces -myces
First Known Use
1879, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
actinomyces
noun
ac·ti·no·my·ces ˌak-tə-(ˌ)nō-ˈmī-ˌsēz ak-ˌtin-ō-
ak-ˌtin-ō- 1
capitalized : a genus of filamentous or rod-shaped gram-positive bacteria of the family Actinomycetaceae that includes usually commensal and sometimes pathogenic forms inhabiting mucosal surfaces especially of the oral cavity compare actinomycosis
2
plural actinomyces : a bacterium of the genus Actinomyces