/bækˈtɪəriə ||; bækˈtɪrɪə/noun [pl] (singular (technical术语) bacterium /-iəm ||; -ɪəm/) very small living things that can only be seen with special equipment (a microscope). Bacteria exist in large numbers in air, water, soil, plants and the bodies of people and animals. Some bacteria cause disease. 细菌 ☞Look at germ (1) and virus. 参看 germ(1) 及 virus。 ➔bacterial /-riəl ||; -rɪəl/ adj bacterial infections/growths 细菌传染；细菌生长