a. 1. Separated or disconnected; withdrawn; removed; apart. [ 1913 Webster ]

The evil abstracted stood from his own evil. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Separated from matter; abstract; ideal. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Abstract; abstruse; difficult. [ Obs. ] Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Inattentive to surrounding objects; absent in mind. “An abstracted scholar.” Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In an abstracted manner; separately; with absence of mind. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state of being abstracted; abstract character. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who abstracts, or makes an abstract. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. amylum starch + NL. bacterium. See Bacterium. ] (Biol.) A microörganism (Bacillus amylobacter) which develops in vegetable tissue during putrefaction. Sternberg. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Med.) (a) killing or inhibiting the growth of bacteria; -- applied also to serum for protection against bacterial diseases. (b) Opposed to the bacterial theory of disease. [ archaic ] [ Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC ]

n. (Med.) a chemical substance which kills or inhibits the growth of bacteria. [ PJC ]

, n. (Microbiol.) A group of single-celled microorganisms including the methanogens and some halophiles and thermoacidophiles, recognized in the 1970's by C. R. Woese and his colleagues as being a distinct group on the basis of RNA sequences, cell walls, and coenzymes differing from those of other microbes. It is believed to be an ancient form of living organism that evolved separately from the eubacteria and blue-green algae. It is classified as a separate kingdom by some taxonomists. See also The Archaebacteria. [ PJC ]

n. One who, or that which, attracts. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The presence of bacteria in the blood.
Syn. -- bacteriemia. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

adj. Of or pertaining to bacteremia. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. pl. See Bacterium. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Biol.) Of, pertaining to, or caused by bacteria. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Destructive of bacteria. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Bacterium + L. caedere to kill ] (Biol.) Same as Germicide. [ 1913 Webster ]

pos>n. The presence of bacteria in the blood; same as bacteremia. [ PJC ]

n. (Med.) A bacterial vaccine. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

a. Of or pertaining to bacteriology; as, bacteriological studies. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One skilled in bacteriology. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Bacterium + -logy. ] (Biol.) The branch of microbiology relating to bacteria. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ NL.; fr. Gr. bakth`rion, ba`ktron, a staff + &unr_; a loosing. ] 1. Chemical decomposition brought about by bacteria without the addition of oxygen. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

2. The destruction or dissolution of bacterial cells. -- Bac*te`ri*o*lyt"ic a. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

n. sing. & pl. a virus which infects bacteria; -- also colloquially called phage in laboratory jargon. Bacteriophages are of many varieties, generally specific for one or a narrow range of bacterial species, and almost every bacterium is susceptible to at least one bacteriophage. They may have DNA or RNA as their genetic component. Certain types of bacteriophage, called
temperate bacteriophage, may infect but not kill their host bacteria, residing in and replicating either as a plasmid or integrated into the host genome. Under certain conditions, a resident temperate phage may become induced to multiply rapidly and vegetatively, killing and lysing its host bacterium, and producing multiple progeny. The lambda phage of Eschericia coli, much studied in biochemical and genetic research, is of the temperate type. [ PJC ]

adj. 1. of or pertaining to bacteriophage. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. (Biol.) Relating to bacterioscopy; as, a bacterioscopic examination. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Biol.) One skilled in bacterioscopic examinations. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Bacterium + -scopy; fr. Gr. bakth`rion, ba`ktron, a staff + skopei^n to view. ] (Biol.) 1. The application of a knowledge of bacteria for their detection and identification, as in the examination of polluted water. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Microscopic examination or investigation of bacteria. -- Bac*te`ri*o*scop"ic a. -- *scop"ic*al*ly adv. -- Bac*te`ri*os"co*pist n. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

n. inhibition of the growth of bacteria, without outright killing of the organism. [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

n. a chemical or biological material that inhibits bacterial growth. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

adj. 1. of or pertaining to bacteriostasis or a bacteriostat. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. causing bacteriostasis; -- said of chemical substances, such as certain antibacterial agents. [ PJC ]

☞ Substances, such as antibiotics, which inhibit bacterial growth are usually classified as bacteriostatic or bacteriocidal depending on the rate at which bacteria exposed to the agents{ 4 } die. The rates of death of bacteria exposed to antibacterial agents{ 4 } are, however, dependent on the concentration of the agent{ 4 }, and form a continuum with some antibacterial agents{ 4 } of intermediate type. The penicillins are considered as typical bactericidal agents, and chloramphenicol or the sulfa drugs as typical bacteriostatic agents. In general, inhibitors of cell-wall synthesis will be bactericidal and many inhibitors of protein synthesis are classed as bacteriostatic, but some of the aminoglycosides also kill bacteria rapidly. [ PJC ]

v. to subject to the action of bacteria.
Syn. -- bacterize. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n.; pl. Bacteria [ NL., fr. Gr. bakth`rion, ba`ktron, a staff: cf. F. bactérie. ] (Biol.) A microscopic single-celled organism having no distinguishable nucleus, belonging to the kingdom Monera. Bacteria have varying shapes, usually taking the form of a jointed rodlike filament, or a small sphere, but also in certain cases having a branched form. Bacteria are destitute of chlorophyll, but in those members of the phylum Cyanophyta (the blue-green algae) other light-absorbing pigments are present. They are the smallest of microscopic organisms which have their own metabolic processes carried on within cell membranes, viruses being smaller but not capable of living freely. The bacteria are very widely diffused in nature, and multiply with marvelous rapidity, both by fission and by spores. Bacteria may require oxygen for their energy-producing metabolism, and these are called aerobes; or may multiply in the absence of oxygen, these forms being anaerobes. Certain species are active agents in fermentation, while others appear to be the cause of certain infectious diseases. The branch of science with studies bacteria is bacteriology, being a division of microbiology. See Bacillus. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

v. to subject to the action of bacteria.
Syn. -- bacterise. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

{ } a. [ Bacterium + -oid. ] (Biol.) Resembling bacteria; as, bacteroid particles. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Pref. bi- + bracteate. ] (Bot.) Furnished with, or having, two bracts. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ L., a thin plate of metal or wood, gold foil. ] (Bot.) A bract. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf.F. bractéal. ] Having the nature or appearance of a bract. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. L. bracteatus covered with gold plate. ] (Bot.) Having a bract or bracts. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Bot.) Furnished with bracts. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Bot.) Furnished with bracteoles or bractlets. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. bracteola, dim. of bractea. See Bractea. ] (Bot.) Same as Bractlet. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Zool.) Covered with a cataphract, or armor of plates, scales, etc.; or with that which corresponds to this, as horny or bony plates, hard, callous skin, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L., an instrument for marking, character, Gr. &unr_;, fr. &unr_; to make sharp, to cut into furrows, to engrave: cf. F. caractère. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. A distinctive mark; a letter, figure, or symbol. [ 1913 Webster ]

It were much to be wished that there were throughout the world but one sort of character for each letter to express it to the eye. Holder. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Style of writing or printing; handwriting; the peculiar form of letters used by a particular person or people; as, an inscription in the Runic character. [ 1913 Webster ]

You know the character to be your brother's? Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The peculiar quality, or the sum of qualities, by which a person or a thing is distinguished from others; the stamp impressed by nature, education, or habit; that which a person or thing really is; nature; disposition. [ 1913 Webster ]

The character or that dominion. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Know well each Ancient's proper character;
His fable, subject, scope in every page;
Religion, Country, genius of his Age. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

A man of . . . thoroughly subservient character. Motley. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Strength of mind; resolution; independence; individuality; as, he has a great deal of character. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Moral quality; the principles and motives that control the life; as, a man of character; his character saves him from suspicion. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. Quality, position, rank, or capacity; quality or conduct with respect to a certain office or duty; as, in the miserable character of a slave; in his character as a magistrate; her character as a daughter. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. The estimate, individual or general, put upon a person or thing; reputation; as, a man's character for truth and veracity; to give one a bad character. [ 1913 Webster ]

This subterraneous passage is much mended since Seneca gave so bad a character of it. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

8. A written statement as to behavior, competency, etc., given to a servant. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

9. A unique or extraordinary individuality; a person characterized by peculiar or notable traits; a person who illustrates certain phases of character; as, Randolph was a character; Cæsar is a great historical character. [ 1913 Webster ]

10. One of the persons of a drama or novel. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ “It would be well if character and reputation were used distinctively. In truth, character is what a person is; reputation is what he is supposed to be. Character is in himself, reputation is in the minds of others. Character is injured by temptations, and by wrongdoing; reputation by slanders, and libels. Character endures throughout defamation in every form, but perishes when there is a voluntary transgression; reputation may last through numerous transgressions, but be destroyed by a single, and even an unfounded, accusation or aspersion.” Abbott. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Charactered ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. To engrave; to inscribe. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

These trees shall be my books.
And in their barks my thoughts I 'll character. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To distinguish by particular marks or traits; to describe; to characterize. [ R. ] Mitford. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. &unr_; a characterizing. ] A distinction of character; a characteristic. [ Obs. ] Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Gr. &unr_;: cf. F. charactéristique. ] Pertaining to, or serving to constitute, the character; showing the character, or distinctive qualities or traits, of a person or thing; peculiar; distinctive. [ 1913 Webster ]

Characteristic clearness of temper. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. A distinguishing trait, quality, or property; an element of character; that which characterized. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

The characteristics of a true critic. Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Math.) The integral part (whether positive or negative) of a logarithm. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Characteristic. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a characteristic manner; in a way that characterizes. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act or process of characterizing. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Characterized p. pr. & vb. n. Characterizing. ] [ LL. characterizare, Gr. &unr_;: cf. F. charactériser. ] 1. To make distinct and recognizable by peculiar marks or traits; to make with distinctive features. [ 1913 Webster ]

European, Asiatic, Chinese, African, and Grecian faces are Characterized. Arbuthnot. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To engrave or imprint. [ Obs. ] Sir M. Hale. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To indicate the character of; to describe. [ 1913 Webster ]

Under the name of Tamerlane he intended to characterize King William. Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To be a characteristic of; to make, or express the character of. [ 1913 Webster ]

The softness and effeminacy which characterize the men of rank in most countries. W. Irving.

5. (Chem.) to identify the structure or nature of; as, the antibiotic activity in the sample was characterized by HPLC, and proved to be erythromycin. [ PJC ]

Syn. -- To describe; distinguish; mark; designate; style; particularize; entitle. [ 1913 Webster ]