Desulfovibrio

noun

De·​sul·​fo·​vibrio

(ˌ)dēˌsəlfə+

: a genus of curved motile anaerobic bacteria rods (family Spirillaceae) that reduce sulfates to hydrogen sulfide and include at least one form (D. halohydrocarbonoclasticus) capable of increasing the flow of oil wells by raising the gas pressure and enlarging the flow channels in the rock

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from de- + sulfo- + vibrio

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!