'Comma bacillus' definitions:

Definition of 'comma bacillus'

noun

Comma-shaped bacteria that cause Asiatic cholera [syn: comma bacillus, Vibrio comma]

From: GCIDE

Comma \Com"ma\, n. [L. comma part of a sentence, comma, Gr. ? clause, fr. ? to cut off. Cf. Capon.]
1. A character or point [,] marking the smallest divisions of a sentence, written or printed. [1913 Webster]
2. (Mus.) A small interval (the difference between a major and minor half step), seldom used except by tuners. [1913 Webster]
Comma bacillus (Physiol.), a variety of bacillus shaped like a comma, found in the intestines of patients suffering from cholera. It is considered by some as having a special relation to the disease; -- called also {cholera bacillus}.
Comma butterfly (Zool.), an American butterfly ({Grapta comma}), having a white comma-shaped marking on the under side of the wings. [1913 Webster]