tubercle bacillus

noun

: a bacterium (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that is a major cause of tuberculosis

Word History

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

tubercle bacillus

noun

: a bacterium of the genus Mycobacterium (M. tuberculosis) that causes tuberculosis in humans

also : a related mycobacterium (M. bovis) that causes tuberculosis in cattle and sometimes humans especially in underdeveloped countries