coccus

coc·cus  (kks)

n. pl. coc·ci (kks, kk)

1. A bacterium having a spherical or spheroidal shape.

2. Botany A division containing a single seed that splits apart from a many-lobed fruit.

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[New Latin, from Greek kokkos, grain, seed.]

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coccal (kkl) adj.

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coccus [ˈkɒkəs]

n pl -ci [-saɪ]

1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Microbiology) any spherical or nearly spherical bacterium, such as a staphylococcus Compare bacillus [1] spirillum [1]

2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Botany) the part of a fruit that contains one seed and separates from the whole fruit at maturity

3. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Animals) any of the scale insects of the genus Coccus

[from New Latin, from Greek kokkos berry, grain]

coccoid , coccal, coccic [ˈkɒksɪk] adj

coccous  adj

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coccus  (kks)

Plural cocci (kks, kk)

Any of various bacteria having a round or ovoid form such as streptococcus or staphylococcus, usually grouped in chains.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

coccus - any spherical or nearly spherical bacteria cocci eubacteria, eubacterium, true bacteria - a large group of bacteria having rigid cell walls; motile types have flagella staph, staphylococci, staphylococcus - spherical Gram-positive parasitic bacteria that tend to form irregular colonies; some cause boils or septicemia or infections