Bacteriology. Pl. -thrices. [mod.L., f. Gr. στρεπτό-ς twisted (see STREPTO-) + θρίξ hair.] A genus of bacteria, comprising organisms having branching filaments growing in interlacing masses; a micro-organism of this genus or type.
1891. G. S. Woodhead, Bacteria, 41. Cylindrical colourless filaments—streptothrix.
1899. T. Bowhill, Man. Bacteriol. Technique, 4. By Streptothrix [we understand] organisms that … resemble at one time the thread fungi, and at other times the bacteria. Ibid., 102. The Streptothrices.
attrib. 1898. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., V. 262. The streptothrix form of the bacillus tuberculosis. Ibid. (1899), VIII. 904. Streptothrix infections of the skin.
Hence Streptothricial a., of or relating to streptothrix.
1903. Lancet, 18 April, 1102/1. Examination of the pus revealed the presence of abundant streptothricial growth.
