coccus

views updated Jun 08 2018

coc·cus / ˈkäkəs/ • n. (pl. coc·ci / ˈkäkˌ(s)ī; ˈkäkˌ(s)ē/ ) Biol. any spherical or roughly spherical bacterium.DERIVATIVES: coc·cal / ˈkäkəl/ adj.coc·coid / ˈkäkˌoid/ adj.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

coccus

views updated Jun 08 2018

coccus (kok-ŭs) n. (pl. cocci) any spherical bacterium. See gonococcus, meningococcus, Micrococcus, pneumococcus, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus.

A Dictionary of Nursing

coccus

views updated Jun 08 2018

coccus (pl. cocci) Any spherical bacterium. Cocci may occur singly, in pairs, in groups of four or more, in cubical packets, in grapelike clusters (Staphylococcus), or in chains (Streptococcus). Staphylococci and streptococci include pathogenic species. They are generally nonmotile and do not form spores.

A Dictionary of Biology

coccus

views updated May 23 2018

coccus A spherical, berry-like structure (e.g. the fruit in Coriariaceae), or a bacterial cell that is spherical, or nearly so. The word is derived from the Greek kokkos, meaning ‘berry’.

A Dictionary of Plant Sciences MICHAEL ALLABY

coccus

views updated May 21 2018

coccus pl. cocci insect of the genus so named XVIII; (bot.) carpel of a dried fruit XIX (earlier coccum); (med.) rounded form of bacterium XIX. — modL. — Gr. kókkos berry, seed.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

coccus

views updated May 17 2018

coccus Small spherical or spheroid bacterium. Average diameter: 0.5–1.25 micrometres. Some, such as Streptococcus and Staphylococcus, are common causes of infection.

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