actinomycete[ak′tə nō′mī′sēt′, -mī sēt′]
any of various bacteria (order Actinomycetales) with a branching, filamentous structure; esp., any of a family (Actinomycetaceae) of Gram-positive bacteria that are pathogenic to humans and animals
Origin of actinomycete; from Modern Latin ; from actino- + -mycete
Any of various spore-forming, chiefly filamentous bacteria of the order Actinomycetales that are abundant in soil. Some species produce natural antibiotics, and some are human pathogens.
actino- + -mycete