aerobe

noun

aer·​obe ˈer-ˌōb 

: an organism (such as a bacterium) that lives only in the presence of oxygen

Word History

Etymology

alteration (probably conformed to microbe) of French aérobie "living only in the presence of oxygen," from aéro- aero- + -bie (as in amphibie amphibious), borrowed from Greek -bios "having (such a) life," adjective derivative of bíos "life" — more at quick entry 1

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

aerobe

noun

aer·​obe ˈa(-ə)r-ˌōb, ˈe(-ə)r- 

: an organism (as a bacterium) that lives only in the presence of oxygen