n 1  cap  :  a genus of small rod-shaped bacteria (family Thiobacteriaceae) that live in water, sewage, and soils, derive energy from oxidation of sulfides, thiosulfates, or elemental sulfur, and obtain carbon from carbon dioxide, bicarbonates, or carbonates in solution  2  pl  -li   :  any bacterium (as some sulfur bacteria) of the genus Thiobacillus .
 
 
 
Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.  © 1997-2024.