n 1  cap  :  a genus of nonmotile aerobic bacteria of the family Enterobacteriaceae that form acid but no gas on many carbohydrates and that cause dysenteries in animals and esp. humans  2  pl  -gel*lae  also  -gellas  :  any bacterium of the genus Shigella .
 
 
 
Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.  © 1997-2024.