microbe
UK/'maikrәub/US
IELTSTOEFLGREB2
Definitions
n.
An organism too small to see without a microscope, such as a bacterium
微生物，肉眼看不见、需借助显微镜的微小生物（如细菌）
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedmicro- (small) + -be (from Greek bios, life) = a tiny living thing. The bios shrinks to just -be here, but it's the same 'life' root: a microbe is microscopic life.
Root bio still carries 34 more wordsWhy It Means This
An odd member of the family: the bios is squeezed down to just -be (via French microbe). Coined in 1878 for the newly visible world of bacteria. Same root as biology, just heavily worn down.
Example Sentences
- 1.
Trillions of microbes live in the human gut.
- 2.
Not every microbe is harmful; many keep us healthy.