Bacteriophage
/ˌbæk.tɪəˈræf.ɪdʒ/noun
A virus that infects and replicates inside bacteria.
Did you know?The term was coined in 1917 by Félix d’Herelle from Greek roots, and bacteriophages were once seen as living “microbe hunters” powerful enough to hint at a microscopic war hidden inside every drop of water.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
baktḗrion
“a small staff or rod; later used for the rod-shaped bacterium”
Ancient Greek
Greek
phagein
“to eat, devour”
1917
French
bactériophage
“a virus that devours bacteria”
Modern English
English
bacteriophage
“a virus that infects and replicates inside bacteria”