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Microbial Common

Origin: Greek prefix micro-

Microbial has 3 different meanings across 1 category:

Adjective

Definitions
Noun
1

A microbe or bacterium.

"The microbial community in the soil helped break down organic waste."

Adjective
1

of or involving or caused by or being microbes

"microbial warfare"

2

Of, relating to, or caused by microbes or microorganisms.

"The patient was treated with antibiotics for a severe microbial infection in her lungs."

In plain English: Microbial means something that is related to tiny living organisms called microbes, such as bacteria and viruses.

"The microbial life in this pond helps keep the water clean."

Usage: This adjective is often confused with the similar-sounding word "microwave," but they have no relation in meaning or usage. It is standardly used in scientific and medical contexts rather than casual conversation.

Example Sentences
"The microbial life in this pond helps keep the water clean." adj
"The microbial life in the compost heap helps break down organic matter quickly." adj
"Doctors warned that the microbial contamination on the kitchen counter could ruin the food." adj
"Recent studies show how microbial activity influences the smell of old books." adj
See Also
bioreporter casamino acid tendamistat vibriobactin sulfur cycle microbian microaerobiosis microbiota
Related Terms

Origin

The word microbial comes from combining microbe with the suffix -ial. It entered English to describe anything relating to or caused by microbes.

Rhyming Words
ial vial dial mial rial faial thial axial inial spial glial prial arial urial phial ilial trial radial oidial monial
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