chlamydia

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chla·myd·i·a / kləˈmidēə/ • n. (pl. same or chlamydiae / -ˈmidēˌē/ ) a very small parasitic bacterium (genus Chlamydia, order Chlamydiales) that, like a virus, requires the biochemical mechanisms of another cell in order to reproduce. Bacteria of this type cause various diseases including trachoma, psittacosis, and nonspecific urethritis.DERIVATIVES: chla·myd·i·al adj. .

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