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coccus Definition

coc·cus (käkəs)

noun pl. cocci′käksī′

  1. a bacterium of a spherical shape
  2. 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.

Browse dictionary entries near coccus

  1. coccolith
  2. -coccoid
  3. coccidiosis
  4. coccidioidomycosis
  5. coccid
  6. cocci
  7. -coccal
  8. cocainize
  9. cocainism
  10. cocaine
  1. -coccus
  2. coccyx
  3. coch
  4. Cochabamba
  5. Cochin
  6. Cochin China
  7. cochineal
  8. cochineal insect
  9. Cochise
  10. cochlea