coccus
[ kok-uhs ]
/ ˈkɒk əs /
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noun, plural coc·ci [kok-sahy, -see]. /ˈkɒk saɪ, -si/.
Bacteriology. a spherical bacterium.
Botany. one of the carpels of a schizocarp.
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Origin of coccus
1755–65; <New Latin <Greek kókkos grain, seed, berry
OTHER WORDS FROM coccus
coccal, coc·cic [kok-sik], /ˈkɒk sɪk/, adjectivecoccous, adjectiveDefinition 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. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for coccus
British Dictionary definitions for coccus
coccus
/ (ˈkɒkəs) /
noun plural -ci (-saɪ)
any spherical or nearly spherical bacterium, such as a staphylococcusCompare 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
Derived forms of coccus
coccoid, coccal or coccic (ˈkɒksɪk), adjectivecoccous, adjectiveWord Origin for coccus
C18: from New Latin, from Greek kokkos berry, grain
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Medical definitions for coccus (1 of 2)
coccus
[ kŏk′əs ]
n. pl. coc•ci (kŏk′sī, kŏk′ī)
A bacterium of round, spheroidal, or ovoid form.
Other words from coccus
coc′coid′ (kŏk′oid′) null adj.Medical definitions for coccus (2 of 2)
-coccus
suff.
A microorganism of spherical or spheroidal shape:streptococcus.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.