coccus
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Related to coccus: lactobacillus, Coccus cacti
coc·cus
(kŏk′əs)n. pl. coc·ci (kŏk′sī, kŏk′ī)
A bacterium having a spherical or spheroidal shape.
[New Latin, from Greek kokkos, grain, seed.]
coc′cal (kŏk′əl) adj.
coccus
(ˈkɒkəs)n, pl -ci (-saɪ)
1. (Microbiology) any spherical or nearly spherical bacterium, such as a staphylococcus. Compare bacillus1, spirillum1
2. (Botany) the part of a fruit that contains one seed and separates from the whole fruit at maturity
3. (Animals) any of the scale insects of the genus Coccus
[C18: from New Latin, from Greek kokkos berry, grain]
ˈcoccoid, coˈcoidal, ˈcoccal, coccic adj
ˈcoccous adj
coc•cus
(ˈkɒk əs)n., pl. -ci (-sī, -sē).
a spherical bacterium.
[1755–65; < New Latin < Greek kókkos grain, seed, berry]
coc′cal, coc′cic (-sɪk) adj.
coc′cous, adj.
-coccus
a combining form representing coccus in the names of bacteria: streptococcus.
coc·cus
(kŏk′əs) Plural cocci (kŏk′sī, kŏk′ī)
Any of various bacteria that are shaped like a sphere and are usually linked together to form chains.
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Noun | 1. | ![]() 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 |
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