archaebacteria
/ˌɑːrki.əbækˈtɪəriə/
noun
Origin
Ancient Greek
ἀρχαῖος — ancient
Overview
Meaning Now
- A group of microorganisms that constitute the domain Archaea, distinguished from bacteria by unique membrane lipids, distinct ribosomal RNA sequences, and lack of peptidoglycan in their cell walls.
Literal older meaning
ancient bacteria
Language path
Ancient Greek → Modern Scientific Latin → English
Earliest form
archaebacteria
Earliest period
1977
Journey
The term was coined by Carl Woese in 1977 based on 16S ribosomal RNA analysis. He initially proposed a three-domain system where archaebacteria were considered a distinct, ancient branch of life, leading to the name which implies they are primitive 'ancient bacteria'.
Evolution
- Ancient Greek
ἀρχαῖος
“ancient”
- Scientific Latin
archaebacteria
“ancient bacteria”
Coined to describe prokaryotes with ancestral characteristics.
- Modern English
archaebacteria
“members of the domain Archaea”
Often superseded in modern taxonomy by the term 'archaea'.
Connections
Word parts
archae-
prefix
ancient
-bacteria
root
rod-like organisms
Related across languages
French
archéobactérie
archaebacterium
German
Archaebakterien
archaebacteria
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External references use DefinedTerm semantics.