penicillium

[pen-uh-sil-ee-uh m] /ˌpɛn əˈsɪl i əm/

noun, plural penicilliums, penicillia

[pen-uh-sil-ee-uh] /ˌpɛn əˈsɪl i ə/ (Show IPA)

any fungus of the genus Penicillium, certain species of which are used in cheesemaking and as the source of penicillin.

Origin

1925-30; < Neo-Latin, equivalent to Latin pēnicill(us) brush (see pencil) + -ium -ium

British Dictionary definitions for penicillium

penicillium

/ˌpɛnɪˈsɪlɪəm/

noun (pl) -cilliums, -cillia (-ˈsɪlɪə)

any ascomycetous saprotrophic fungus of the genus Penicillium, which commonly grow as a green or blue mould on stale food: some species are used in cheese-making and others as a source of penicillin

Word Origin

C19: New Latin, from Latin pēnicillus tuft of hairs; named from the tufted appearance of the sporangia of this fungus

penicillium in Medicine

penicillium pen·i·cil·li·um (pěn'ĭ-sĭl'ē-əm)
n. pl. pen·i·cil·li·ums or pen·i·cil·li·a (-sĭl'ē-ə)
Any of various bluish-green fungi of the genus Penicillium that grow as molds on decaying fruits and ripening cheese and are used in the production of penicillin.

Penicillium n.
A genus of fungi of the class Ascomycetes, some species of which yield several antibiotic substances and biologics.

penicillium in Science

penicillium

(pěn'ĭ-sĭl'ē-əm)
Plural penicilliums or penicillia
Any of various bluish-green fungi of the genus Penicillium, that grow as molds on decaying fruits, ripening cheeses, and bread, and are used to produce penicillin and certain other antibiotics.