Where does “bacteria” come from?

bacteria (New Latin) comes from Latin bacterium, from Ancient Greek βακτήριον, from Ancient Greek βακτηρία, from Proto-Indo-European baḱ- — club, pointed stick, peg; pointed stick, peg.

bacteria (New Latin): nominative plural of bactērium; accusative plural...

Definitions

nominative plural of bactērium; accusative plural...

Ancestry of “bacteria”, step by step

bacteria traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via Latin bacterium

Step	Language	Word	Meaning
1	Latin	bacterium	cane, walking-stick; staff (of a shepherd)
2	Ancient Greek	βακτήριον	Synonym of βακτηρία
3	Ancient Greek	βακτηρία	rod, staff, cane; baton
4	Proto-Indo-European	baḱ-	club, pointed stick, peg; pointed stick, peg

via New Latin bactērium

Step	Language	Word	Meaning
1	New Latin	bactērium	—

Words derived from “bacteria”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European baḱ- →Every word from Ancient Greek βακτηρία →Every word from Ancient Greek βακτήριον →