microbe

 
Pronunciation: /ˈmʌɪkrəʊb/

noun

  • a microorganism, especially a bacterium causing disease or fermentation.

Derivatives

microbial

Pronunciation: /-ˈkrəʊbɪəl/
adjective

microbic

Pronunciation: /-ˈkrəʊbɪk/
adjective

Origin:

late 19th century: from French, from Greek mikros 'small' + bios 'life'