mycoderma
One of the forms in which microbes group themselvesOne of the forms in which microbes group themselves; a (microscopic or macroscopic) layer of motionless but living microbes united on the surface of the fluid in which they are developed, differing from the zoogloea stage by not having the intermediate mucous substance.
Meaning
3 senses(archaic, countable, uncountable)One of the forms in which microbes group themselves; a (microscopic or macroscopic) layer of motionless but living microbes united on the surface of the fluid in which they are developed, differing from the zoogloea stage by not having the intermediate mucous substance.
(archaic, countable)A single microbe of (former) genus Mycoderma, as a denizen within a biofilm; a microscopic colony of such microbes, among many such colonies in a biofilm.
(countable, obsolete, uncountable)Mucous membrane (mucosa).
Origin
Nineteenth century. Appellativization from genus name Mycoderma, which was coined in 1822Nineteenth century. Appellativization from genus name Mycoderma, which was coined in 1822 as a scientific name for the putative genus of organisms in mother of vinegar; they were named thus under the belief that they were fungi (although in fermentation there may also be bacteria present besides the yeast), hence the combining form myco- (for more, see Wikipedia); by surface analysis, myco- + derma, where the latter component refers to the "skin" formed on fermenting liquid.
Nineteenth century or earlier. By surface analysis, myco- + derma, where myco- is an antiquated alternative spelling of muco- explained by the usual transliteration possibilities (y or u) for υ (u), Greek upsilon; as explained at mucus (English) from mucus (Latin), Ancient Greek words for mucus and mushrooms and sliminess were related.
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Forms
plural: mycodermata / mycodermasWord family
6 related wordsLessons for this word
2 lessons- A1Plural nouns — Because its plural is irregular
- A1Countable and uncountable nouns — Because it can be uncountable