staph·y·lo·coc·cus (st f  -l -k k s)n. pl. staph·y·lo·coc·ci (-k ks , -kk) A spherical gram-positive parasitic bacterium of the genus Staphylococcus, usually occurring in grapelike clusters and causing boils, septicemia, and other infections. staph y·lo·coccal (-kkl), staphy·lo·coccic (-kks k, -kkk) adj. |
staphylococcus [staff-ill-oh-kok-uss, -kok-eye]
Noun
pl -cocci a bacterium occurring in clusters and including many species that cause disease [Greek staphulē bunch of grapes + kokkos berry]
| staphylococcus (stf-l-kks) Plural staphylococci (st f-l-kks, -kk) Any of various bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus that are gram-positive cocci and are normally found on the skin and mucous membranes of warm-blooded animals. Pathogenic strains such as S. aureus commonly cause infections of the skin, bones, lungs and other organs. Some staphylococcal disease, such as food poisoning, is caused by a toxin produced by the bacteria. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | staphylococcus - spherical Gram-positive parasitic bacteria that tend to form irregular colonies; some cause boils or septicemia or infections genus Staphylococcus - includes many pathogenic species |
How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content.
| ?Page tools | ||
|---|---|---|
|