streptococci

Variant of streptococcus

streptococcus definition

strep·to·coc·cus (strep′tə käk′əs)

noun pl. streptococci -·coc′ci′ (-käk′sī′)

any of a genus (Streptococcus) of spherical, Gram-positive bacteria that divide in only one plane and occur generally in chains: some species cause various serious diseases

Etymology: ModL < Gr streptos, twisted (see streptomyces) + coccus

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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