micrococcus

American  

[mahy-kruh-kok-uhs] / ˌmaɪ krəˈkɒk əs /

noun

Bacteriology.

plural

micrococci

1. any spherical bacterium of the genus Micrococcus, occurring in irregular masses, many species of which are pigmented and are saprophytic or parasitic.

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micrococcus British  

/ ˌmaɪkrəʊˈkɒkəs /

noun

1. any spherical Gram-positive bacterium of the genus Micrococcus : family Micrococcaceae

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Other Word Forms

• micrococcal adjective
• micrococcic adjective

Etymology

Origin of micrococcus

< New Latin (1872); see micro-, coccus

Example Sentences

When grown in organic infusions out of the animal body the anthrax-germ develops from micrococcus or bacillus into a long, branching, filamentous product, which in the presence of oxygen develops into spores.

From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various

A physician examined after death the body of a person who died from infection with a very virulent micrococcus and in the course of the examination slightly scratched a finger.

From Disease and Its Causes by Councilman, William Thomas

Emmerling67 isolated, in addition to a yellow pigment-forming organism, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus lactis acidi, and several fungi, a small micrococcus capable of hydrolysing milk- and cane-sugar.

From The Bacillus of Long Life a manual of the preparation and souring of milk for dietary purposes, together with and historical account of the use of fermente by Douglas, Loudon

So in cases of mortification of the bag; in the very occurrence there is fair circumstantial evidence of the presence of erysipelas micrococcus or other germ which kills the local tissues.

From Special Report on Diseases of Cattle by United States. Bureau of Animal Industry

Under observation, pale, finely-granular micrococcus balls developed and changed very quickly to bacteria, which moved about very actively.

From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various