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Bacterial: Definition, Usage & Key Distinctions (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：pertaining to bacteria (bacterial)
bacterial
/bækˈtɪəriəl/
adj.
Related to or involving bacteria.
pertaining to bacteria
➕
/pərˈteɪnɪŋ tʊ bækˈtɪəriə/
adj.
Describes anything that is connected to or consists of bacteria.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From 'bacteria' (microorganisms) + suffix '-al' (pertaining to).
💡 Mnemonic
Think 'bacteria' + 'al' like 'medical' – all about germs!
📖 Example
Yogurt is full of bacterial cultures that are good for your stomach.
Yogurt contains many bacterial cultures that benefit stomach health.
🔗 Collocations
bacterial growth – the proliferation of bacteria
bacterial colony – a group of bacteria growing together
bacterial strain – a specific genetic variant of bacteria
🔄 Synonyms
microbial (adj.) – relating to microorganisms including bacteria
germ-related (adj.) – involving germs or microorganisms
🚫 Antonyms
sterile (adj.) – free from bacteria or other microorganisms
🌱 Derivatives
bacterium (n.) – singular form of bacteria
bacteriology (n.) – the study of bacteria
📖 Cultural Story
Etymologically from Greek 'bakterion' (small rod), referring to rod-shaped bacteria. Now common in medical and biological contexts.
Meaning 2：caused by bacteria (bacterial)
bacterial
/bækˈtɪəriəl/
adj.
Caused by bacteria, often used to describe illnesses.
caused by bacteria
➕
/kɔːzd baɪ bækˈtɪəriə/
adj.
Indicates that something, especially an illness, is the result of bacterial activity.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
My sore throat turned out to be a bacterial infection, so the doctor prescribed antibiotics.
The doctor diagnosed my sore throat as a bacterial infection and prescribed antibiotics.
🔗 Collocations
bacterial infection – an illness caused by bacteria
bacterial disease – a disease resulting from bacteria
bacterial pneumonia – pneumonia caused by bacteria
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
viral (adj.) – caused by a virus, not bacteria
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