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diplococcus

American  
[dip-luh-kok-uhs] / ˌdɪp ləˈkɒk əs /

noun

Bacteriology.

plural

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


diplococcus British  
/ ˌdɪpləʊˈkɒksɪk, -ˈkɒkɪk, ˌdɪpləʊˈkɒkəs /

noun

  1. 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

"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

Other Word Forms

  • diplococcal adjective
  • diplococcic adjective

Etymology

Origin of diplococcus

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In puerperal fever Dol�ris found the prevailing pathogenic organisms consisted of bacilli or rods, and micrococci or round bacteria in the varieties of micrococci, simple points; diplococci, double points; and chains or wreaths.

From Project Gutenberg

The diplococcus merely produces acidification and coagulation of the milk.

From Project Gutenberg

Cerebro-spinal Meningitis.—This form of meningitis, which is due to the diplococcus intracellularis, may occur sporadically, but is more frequently met with in an epidemic form.

From Project Gutenberg

For instance, not a few healthy noses and throats contain the bacillus of diphtheria and the diplococcus of pneumonia.

From Project Gutenberg

The joint lesions which accompany acute rheumatism or “rheumatic fever” are believed to be due to a diplococcus.

From Project Gutenberg