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 ]
a. (Biol.) Growing or thriving only in the presence of oxygen; also, pertaining to, or induced by, aërobies; as, aërobic fermentation. -- A`ër*o"bic*al*ly adv. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]