micrococcus

[ mahy-kruh-kok-uhs ]

noun

, Bacteriology.

, plural mi·cro·coc·ci [mahy-kr, uh, -, kok, -sahy, -see].

1. any spherical bacterium of the genus Micrococcus, occurring in irregular masses, many species of which are pigmented and are saprophytic or parasitic.

micrococcus

/ ˌmaɪkrəʊˈkɒkəs /

noun

1. any spherical Gram-positive bacterium of the genus Micrococcus : family Micrococcaceae

Other Words From

• micro·coccal mi·cro·coc·cic [mahy-kr, uh, -, kok, -sik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of micrococcus¹

< New Latin (1872); micro-, coccus

Example Sentences

The bacteria were chiefly staphylococci, rarely the pneumococcus or the micrococcus catarrhalis.

From Project Gutenberg

Cocci exhibit this movement, but with the exception of the Micrococcus agilis, the cocci are non-motile.

From Project Gutenberg

This germ is closely related to Conn's micrococcus of bitter milk.

From Project Gutenberg

It is caused by minute bacteria (Micrococcus melitensis) and is a very infectious but not usually contagious disease.

From Project Gutenberg

A specific micro-organism, the Micrococcus melitensis, was discovered in 1887, and it was traced to the milk of the Maltese goats.

From Project Gutenberg