Bacteriolysis

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

bacteriolysis
    n 1: dissolution or destruction of bacteria

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Bacteriolysis \Bac*te`ri*ol"y*sis\, n. [NL.; fr. Gr. bakth`rion,
   bak`tron, a staff + ? a loosing.]
   1. Chemical decomposition brought about by bacteria without
      the addition of oxygen.
      [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

   2. The destruction or dissolution of bacterial cells. --
      {Bac*te`ri*o*lyt"ic}, a.
      [Webster 1913 Suppl.]