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, adjectiveOther definitions for coccus (2 of 2)
-coccus
a combining form representing coccus in compound words: streptococcus.
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use coccus in a sentence
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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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
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