coccus

coccus Definition

coc·cus (käk′əs)

noun pl. coc′ci′käk′sī′

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

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

coccus Related Forms

coc′·coid′ adjective

coccus Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

Gram-positive: Abstract Peptostreptococcus anaerobius is a gram-positive anaerobic coccus that is widely distributed in the normal human flora.
positive: It stains Gram positive and may at first be confused with Gram positive cocci.
anaerobic: However, most of the seven species of anaerobic cocci identified were found in both control and diseased animals.

Preposition: in

cluster: The golden colony is a Gram positive coccus in grape-like clusters, S. aureus.

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