microbian
Microbian is an adjective and, less commonly, a noun used to refer to anything relating to microorganisms. In contemporary scientific writing, the term microbial is preferred and microbian is considered archaic or informal. When used, microbian may describe life, habitats, or processes involving microscopic organisms.
Microbes encompassed by the concept of microbian life include bacteria, archaea, viruses, fungi, and various protists.
Etymology and usage notes: micro- derives from Greek for small, and the suffix -an is a general-forming
Comparison with related terms: microbial is the standard adjective, while microorganism is the noun for a microscopic
See also: Microbiology, Microbial ecology, Microorganism, Microbiota, Microbe.