streptococcus

[ strep-tuh-kok-uhs ]

noun,plural strep·to·coc·ci [strep-tuh-kok-sahy, -see]. /ˌstrɛp təˈkɒk saɪ, -si/. Bacteriology.
  1. any of several spherical or oval bacteria of the genus Streptococcus, occurring in pairs or chains, certain species of which are pathogenic for humans, causing scarlet fever, tonsillitis, etc.

Origin of streptococcus

1
From New Latin, dating back to 1875–80; see origin at strepto-, coccus

Other words from streptococcus

  • strep·to·coc·cal [strep-tuh-kok-uhl], /ˌstrɛp təˈkɒk əl/, strep·to·coc·cic [strep-tuh-kok-sik], /ˌstrɛp təˈkɒk sɪk/, adjective

Words Nearby streptococcus

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How to use streptococcus in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for streptococcus

streptococcus

/ (ˌstrɛptəʊˈkɒkəs) /


nounplural -cocci (-ˈkɒkaɪ, US -ˈkɒksaɪ)
  1. any Gram-positive spherical bacterium of the genus Streptococcus, typically occurring in chains and including many pathogenic species, such as S. pyogenes, which causes scarlet fever, sore throat, etc: family Lactobacillaceae: Often shortened to: strep

Derived forms of streptococcus

  • streptococcal (ˌstrɛptəʊˈkɒkəl) or rare streptococcic (ˌstrɛptəʊˈkɒkɪk, 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 streptococcus

streptococcus

[ strĕp′tə-kŏkəs ]


Plural streptococci (strĕp′tə-kŏksī, -kŏkī)
  1. Any of various bacteria of the genus Streptococcus that are gram-positive cocci and are normally found on the skin and mucous membranes and in the digestive tract of mammals. One type of streptococcus, Group A, is a common pathogen in humans and causes various infections, including strep throat, scarlet fever, pneumonia, and some types of impetigo.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for streptococcus

streptococcus

[ (strep-tuh-kok-uhs) ]


A category of bacteria that can cause various infections in humans, including scarlet fever and strep throat.

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.