variants or less commonly L-phase
: a small variant form of some bacteria (as those causing anthrax, Lyme disease, and tuberculosis) that typically lacks a cell wall and displays resistance to antibiotics

Word History

Etymology

Lister Institute, London, where it was first isolated

First Known Use

1948, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of L-form was in 1948

Dictionary Entries Near L-form

Cite this Entry

“L-form.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/L-form. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

L-form

noun
: a small, variant form of some bacteria (such as those causing anthrax, Lyme disease, and tuberculosis) that usually lacks a cell wall and typically displays resistance to antibiotics

called also L-phase

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