gonococcus

American  

[gon-uh-kok-uhs] / ˌgɒn əˈkɒk əs /

noun

plural

gonococci

1. the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, causing gonorrhea.

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gonococcus British  

/ ˌɡɒnəʊˈkɒkəs /

noun

1. a spherical Gram-negative bacterium, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, that causes gonorrhoea: family Neisseriaceae

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Other Word Forms

• gonococcal adjective
• gonococcic adjective
• gonococcoid adjective

Etymology

Origin of gonococcus

First recorded in 1885–90; gono- + -coccus

Example Sentences

Over the years, however, as the gonococcus has buffed up its defenses to antibiotics, doctors have had to prescribe higher and higher doses to combat it.

From Slate • Oct. 25, 2011

The gonococcus has been resisting treatments and vying for superbug status for thousands of years.

From Slate • Oct. 25, 2011

But in a majority of cases of NGU, no gonococcus can be found�hence the name nongonococcal urethritis.

From Time Magazine Archive

These, fortunately, include most of the bacteria which cause acute infections: the pneumococcus, more than half the streptococci, meningococcus, gonococcus and the spirochete of syphilis.

From Time Magazine Archive

One of the most striking illustrations is the gonococcus of gonorrhœa, whose presence in and around gives to the pus cells their virulent properties, and when transferred to the eye works such lamentable mischief.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 787, January 31, 1891 by Various