meningococcus

meningococcus Definition

meningo·coc·cus (mə niŋ′gō käk′əs)

noun pl. -·coc′ci′-käk′sī′

the bacterium (Neisseria meningitidis) that is a common cause of meningitis

meningococcus Related Forms

menin′go·coc′·cal (-käk′əl) adjective or menin′go·coc′·cic-käk′sik

meningococcus Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

germ: Meningococcal meningitis is an inflammation of the outer covering of the brain and spinal cord caused by the meningococcus germ.
bacterium: Description: The meningococcus bacterium is the cause of this acute meningitis, which can kill in a matter of hours.

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