staphylococcus
any of several spherical bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus, occurring in pairs, tetrads, and irregular clusters, certain species of which, as S. aureus, can be pathogenic for humans.
Origin of staphylococcus
1Other words from staphylococcus
- staph·y·lo·coc·cal [staf-uh-luh-kok-uhl], /ˌstæf ə ləˈkɒk əl/, staph·y·lo·coc·cic [staf-uh-luh-kok-sik], /ˌstæf ə ləˈkɒk sɪk/, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use staphylococcus in a sentence
Bacteria of various kinds, especially staphylococci, are usually numerous.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis | James Campbell ToddStaphylococci are commonly grouped in clusters, often compared to bunches of grapes (Fig. 113).
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis | James Campbell ToddThe bacteria were chiefly staphylococci, rarely the pneumococcus or the micrococcus catarrhalis.
The Treatment of Hay Fever | George Frederick LaidlawIt has been stated that Stannoxyl does not inhibit the growth of staphylococci, but only renders the growth less virulent.
Streptococci are more virulent than staphylococci, and are less common.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis | James Campbell Todd
British Dictionary definitions for staphylococcus
/ (ˌstæfɪləʊˈkɒkəs) /
any spherical Gram-positive bacterium of the genus Staphylococcus, typically occurring in clusters and including many pathogenic species, causing boils, infection in wounds, and septicaemia: family Micrococcaceae: Often shortened to: staph
Origin of staphylococcus
1Derived forms of staphylococcus
- staphylococcal (ˌstæfɪləʊˈkɒkəl) or staphylococcic (ˌstæfɪləʊˈkɒkɪk, US -ˈkɒksɪk), 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
Scientific definitions for staphylococcus
[ stăf′ə-lō-kŏk′əs ]
Any of various bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus that are gram-positive cocci and are normally found on the skin and mucous membranes of warm-blooded animals. Pathogenic strains such as S. aureus commonly cause infections of the skin, bones, lungs and other organs. Some staphylococcal disease, such as food poisoning, is caused by a toxin produced by the bacteria.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for staphylococcus
[ (staf-uh-loh-kok-uhs) ]
A category of bacteria that can cause boils, blood poisoning, and other serious infections.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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