micro

n. [ Micro- + analysis. ] 1. Analysis of the structure of materials from careful observation of photomicrographs. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

2. (Chem.) Chemical analysis of very small quantities of substances, requiring special apparatus to handle and weigh small amounts of materials. [ PJC ]

‖n. pl. [ NL. See Micro-, and Bacterium. ] (Biol.) In the classification of Cohn, one of the four tribes of Bacteria. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In this classification bacteria are divided into four tribes: 1. Spherobacteria, or spherical bacteria, as the genus Micrococcus. 2. Microbacteria, or bacteria in the form of short rods, including the genus Bacterium. 3. Desmobacteria, or bacteria in straight filaments, of which the genus Bacillus is a type. 4. Spirobacteria, or bacteria in spiral filaments, as the genus Vibrio. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Micro- + barograph. ] An instrument for recording minor fluctuations of atmospheric pressure, as opposed to general barometric surges. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

a. (Biol.) Of, pertaining to, or caused by, microbes; as, microbial growth; the microbian theory; a microbian disease. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

a. (Biol.) Of or pertaining to a microbe. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Microbe + L. caedere to kill. ] (Biol.) Any agent detrimental to, or destructive of, the life of microbes or bacterial organisms. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Microbe; -logy. ] The branch of biology studying minute organisms, or microbes, such as the bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa. -- Mi`cro*bi`o*log"ic*al a. -- Mi`cro*bi*ol"o*gist n. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC ]

{ ‖ } n. [ NL. microbion, fr. Gr. &unr_; little + &unr_; life. ] (Biol.) A microscopic organism; a microorganism; -- particularly applied to bacteria and especially to pathogenic forms; as, the microbe of fowl cholera. [ 1913 Webster ]