‖n. [ NL.; fr. Gr. bakth`rion, ba`ktron, a staff + &unr_; a loosing. ] 1. Chemical decomposition brought about by bacteria without the addition of oxygen. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]
2. The destruction or dissolution of bacterial cells. -- Bac*te`ri*o*lyt"ic a. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]