staphylococcus

[staf-uh-luh-kok-uhs]

noun

Bacteriology.

plural

staphylococci 

1. 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.

staphylococcus

/ ˌstæfɪləʊˈkɒkəs, ˌstæfɪləʊˈkɒkɪk, ˌstæfɪləʊˈkɒkəl, -ˈkɒksɪk /

noun

1. Often shortened to: staph. 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

staphylococcus

plural

staphylococci 

1. 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.

staphylococcus

1. A category of bacteria that can cause boils, blood poisoning, and other serious infections.

Other Word Forms

• staphylococcal adjective
• staphylococcic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of staphylococcus¹

From New Latin, dating back to 1885–90; staphylo-, coccus

Word History and Origins

Origin of staphylococcus¹

C19: from _staphylo- (in the sense: like a bunch of grapes) + _coccus so called because of their shape