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); micro-, coccus

Example Sentences

This germ is closely related to Conn's micrococcus of bitter milk.

From Outlines of Dairy Bacteriology, 8th edition A Concise Manual for the Use of Students in Dairying by Russell, H. L. (Harry Luman)

This disease is caused by a small micrococcus, the organisms joined in pairs.

From Disease and Its Causes by Councilman, William Thomas

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

To cite only those whose origin is well known, we may mention the bacterium that causes charbon, the micrococcus of chicken cholera, and that of hog measles.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 446, July 19, 1884 by Various

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