torula

noun

tor·​u·​la ˈtȯr-yə-lə 

ˈtär-,

-ə-lə

plural torulae ˈtȯr-(y)ə-ˌlē 

ˈtär-,

-ˌlī

also torulas

: any of various fungi (genus Torula) and especially yeasts that lack sexual spores, do not produce alcoholic fermentations, and are typically acid formers

called also torula yeast

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin torus protuberance

First Known Use

1862, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

torula

noun

tor·​u·​la ˈtȯr-yə-lə  ˈtär- 

1

plural torulae -ˌlē  -ˌlī  also torulas

a

: any of various yeasts or fungi resembling yeasts that lack sexual spores, do not produce alcoholic fermentations, and are typically acid formers

b

: cryptococcosis

2

capitalized

a

: a genus of usually dark colored chiefly saprophytic imperfect fungi (family Dematiaceae)

b

in some classifications : a genus of yeasts including pathogens (as T. histolytica synonym Cryptococcus neoformans that causes cryptococcosis) usually placed in the genus Cryptococcus