coccus

¹

[kok-uhs]

noun

plural

cocci 

1. Bacteriology.,  a spherical bacterium.

2. Botany.,  one of the carpels of a schizocarp.

-coccus

²

1. a combining form representing coccus in compound words.

   streptococcus.

coccus

/ ˈkɒkəs, ˈkɒksɪk /

noun

1. any spherical or nearly spherical bacterium, such as a staphylococcus Compare bacillus spirillum

2. the part of a fruit that contains one seed and separates from the whole fruit at maturity

3. any of the scale insects of the genus Coccus

coccus

plural

cocci 

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

Other Word Forms

• coccal adjective
• coccic adjective
• coccous adjective
• coccoid adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of coccus¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of coccus¹

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

Example Sentences

Each insect, known as Dactylopius coccus, must be bred to a larvae stage and “planted” on a previously wounded cactus pad, and then left for months to feed and mature.

From Seattle Times

“Tersi” is Latin for clean, as in clean room, and “coccus” comes from Greek and describes the bacterium in this genus’s berrylike shape.

From Scientific American

Its use raised objections by vegans and vegetarians because it comes from the Dactylopius coccus, a small white insect gives a vibrant red color when crushed.

From Scientific American

This word also appears in Fr. coq, and medieval Lat. coccus.

From Project Gutenberg

Spores globose, muriculate, remaining united in a coccus.

From Project Gutenberg

When To Use

What does -coccus mean?

The combining form -coccus is used like a suffix meaning “coccus.” Coccus is a scientific term with two meanings. In terms from bacteriology, it means "spherical bacterium." In terms from botany, it refers to the mericarp, one segment of a schizocarp, a kind of fruit.The form -coccus comes from Greek kókkos, meaning “grain, seed, or berry.” The Latin equivalent of kókkos is grānum, “grain” or “seed,” which is the source of words such as grain, granite, and granular. Discover more at our entry for each word.What are variants of -coccus?While -coccus doesn't have any variants, it is related to the form -coccal, as in streptococcal. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use article for -coccal.