diplococcus

[ dip-luh-kok-uhs ]

/ ˌdɪp ləˈkɒk əs /

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noun, plural dip·lo·coc·ci

[dip-luh-kok-sahy, -see], /ˌdɪp ləˈkɒk saɪ, -si/, Bacteriology.

any of several spherical bacteria occurring in pairs, as Diplococcus pneumoniae.

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Origin of diplococcus

From New Latin, dating back to 1886; see origin at diplo-, coccus

OTHER WORDS FROM diplococcus

dip·lo·coc·cal, dip·lo·coc·cic

[dip-luh-kok-sik], /ˌdɪp ləˈkɒk sɪk/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use diplococcus in a sentence

Diplococci without capsules are common in the sputum, but have no special significance.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
They may take a smear, and they find that—intra and extracellular diplococci, they treat the patient for gonorrhea.
Warren Commission (8 of 26): Hearings Vol. VIII (of 15)|The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy
And here it says, "Gram negative, diplococci intra- and extra-cellular morphological resembling neisseria gonococci."
Warren Commission (8 of 26): Hearings Vol. VIII (of 15)|The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy
They are frequently studded with bacteria—most commonly diplococci.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd

British Dictionary definitions for diplococcus

diplococcus

/ (ˌdɪpləʊˈkɒkəs) /

noun plural -cocci (-ˈkɒksaɪ)

any of various spherical Gram-positive bacteria that occur in pairs, esp any of the genus Diplococcus, such as D. pneumoniae, which causes pneumonia: family Lactobacillaceae

Derived forms of diplococcus

diplococcal or diplococcic (ˌdɪpləʊˈkɒksɪk, -ˈkɒkɪk), 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

Medical definitions for diplococcus (1 of 2)

diplococcus

[ dĭp′lō-kŏk′əs ]

n. pl. dip•lo•coc•ci (-kŏk′sī′, -kŏk′ī′)

Any of various paired spherical bacteria, including those of the genus Diplococcus, some of which are pathogenic.

Other words from diplococcus

dip′lo•coc′cal (-kŏk′əl) null adj.

Medical definitions for diplococcus (2 of 2)

Diplococcus

[ dĭp′lō-kŏk′əs ]

A genus of gram-positive anaerobic encapsulated fermenting bacteria having a somewhat elongated spherical shape.