bacteriophage

[bak-teer-ee-uh-feyj] /bækˈtɪər i əˌfeɪdʒ/
noun
1.
any of a group of viruses that infect specific bacteria, usually causing their disintegration or dissolution.
Also called phage.
Origin
1920-25; < French bactériophage. See bacterio-, -phage
Related forms
bacteriophagic
[bak-teer-ee-uh-faj-ik, -fey-jik] /bækˌtɪər i əˈfædʒ ɪk, -ˈfeɪ dʒɪk/ (Show IPA), bacteriophagous
[bak-teer-ee-of-uh-guh s] /bækˌtɪər iˈɒf ə gəs/ (Show IPA), adjective
bacteriophagy
[bak-teer-ee-of-uh-jee] /bækˌtɪər iˈɒf ə dʒi/ (Show IPA), noun
Examples from the web for bacteriophage
  • The trick begins with a type of virus called a bacteriophage.
  • After some incubation, different organs were taken, and bacteriophage were recovered from them.
  • Scientists genetically engineered a bacteriophage-a virus that infects bacteria but is harmless to humans.
British Dictionary definitions for bacteriophage

bacteriophage

/bækˈtɪərɪəˌfeɪdʒ/
noun
1.
a virus that is parasitic in a bacterium and multiplies within its host, which is destroyed when the new viruses are released Often shortened to phage
Derived Forms
bacteriophagic (bækˌtɪərɪəˈfædʒɪk) adjective
bacteriophagous (bækˌtɪərɪˈɒfəɡəs) adjective
Word Origin and History for bacteriophage
n.

1921, from French bactériophage (1917), from bacterio-, comb. form of bacteria, + -phage.

bacteriophage in Medicine

bacteriophage bac·te·ri·o·phage (bāk-tēr'ē-ə-fāj')
n.
A virus capbale of infecting and lysing bacterial cells. Also called phage.

bacteriophage in Science
bacteriophage
  (bāk-tîr'ē-ə-fāj')   
A virus that infects and destroys bacterial cells.