coccus

[ kok-uhs ]

noun,plural coc·ci

[kok-sahy, -see]. /ˈkɒk saɪ, -si/.

Bacteriology. a spherical bacterium.
Botany. one of the carpels of a schizocarp.

Origin of coccus

1755–65; <New Latin <Greek kókkos grain, seed, berry

Other words from coccus

coccal, coc·cic [kok-sik], /ˈkɒk sɪk/, adjective
coccous, adjective

Other definitions for -coccus (2 of 2)

-coccus

a combining form representing coccus in compound words: streptococcus.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for coccus

coccus

/ (ˈkɒkəs) /

nounplural -ci (-saɪ)

any spherical or nearly spherical bacterium, such as a staphylococcus: Compare bacillus (def. 1), spirillum (def. 1)
the part of a fruit that contains one seed and separates from the whole fruit at maturity

any of the scale insects of the genus Coccus

Origin of coccus

C18: from New Latin, from Greek kokkos berry, grain

Derived forms of coccus

coccoid, coccal or coccic (ˈkɒksɪk), adjective
coccous, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for coccus

coccus

[ kŏk′əs ]

Plural cocci (kŏk′sī, kŏk′ī)

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

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