n. pl. [ Aëro- + Gr. bi`os life. ] (Biol.) Microörganisms which live in contact with the air and need oxygen for their growth; as the microbacteria which form on the surface of putrefactive fluids; aerobes. [ obsolescent ] [ Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC ]
n. pl. [ Gr. 'an priv. + &unr_;, &unr_;, air + bi`os life. ] (Biol.) Microörganisms which do not require oxygen, but are killed by it. See obligate anaerobes under anaerobes. Sternberg. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]