coccus

(käkəs)

noun pl. cocci

  1. a bacterium of a spherical shape
  2. any of the carpels, containing one seed, into which compound fruits split when ripe

Origin: ModL < Gr kokkos, a kernel, seed, berry

Related Forms:

coccus: used in names of various bacteria: gonococcus

See coccus in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. coc·ci (kŏkˈsī, kŏkˈī)
  1. A bacterium having a spherical or spheroidal shape.
  2. Botany A division containing a single seed that splits apart from a many-lobed fruit.

Origin:

Origin: New Latin

Origin: , from Greek kokkos, grain, seed

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Related Forms:

  • cocˈcal (kŏkˈəl) adjective

suffix
A microorganism of spherical or spheroidal shape: streptococcus.

Origin:

Origin: From coccus

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