First Known Use: 1887
Dictionary
staphylococcus
noun staph·y·lo·coc·cus \-ˈkä-kəs\
plural staph·y·lo·coc·ci\-ˈkä-ˌkī, -(ˌ)kē; -ˈkäk-ˌsī, -(ˌ)sē\
Definition of STAPHYLOCOCCUS
: any of a genus (Staphylococcus) of nonmotile gram-positive spherical bacteria that occur singly, in pairs or tetrads, or in irregular clusters and include causative agents of various diseases (as skin infections, food poisoning, and endocarditis)
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Origin of STAPHYLOCOCCUS
New Latin, from Greek staphylē bunch of grapes + New Latin -coccus
Medical Dictionary
staphylococcus
noun staph·y·lo·coc·cus \ˌstaf-ə-lō-ˈkäk-əs\
Medical Definition of STAPHYLOCOCCUS
1
capitalized : a genus of nonmotile gram-positive spherical bacteria that is placed in either of two families (Staphylococcaceae or Micrococcaceae), contains forms occurring singly, in pairs or tetrads, or in irregular clusters, and includes causative agents of various diseases and disorders (as food poisoning, skin infections, and endocarditis)
2
plural staph·y·lo·coc·ci \-ˈkäk-ˌ(s)ī\ : any bacterium of the genus Staphylococcus; broadly : micrococcus 2
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