coccus

[kok-uh s] /ˈkɒk əs/
noun, plural cocci
[kok-sahy, -see] /ˈkɒk saɪ, -si/ (Show IPA)
1.
Bacteriology. a spherical bacterium.
2.
Botany. one of the carpels of a schizocarp.
Origin
1755-65; < Neo-Latin < Greek kókkos grain, seed, berry
Related forms
coccal, coccic
[kok-sik] /ˈkɒk sɪk/ (Show IPA), adjective
coccous, adjective

-coccus

1.
a combining form representing coccus, in compound words:
streptococcus.
Examples from the web for coccus
  • Describing a bacterium as a coccus, or sphere, distinguishes it from bacillus, or rod.
British Dictionary definitions for coccus

coccus

/ˈkɒkəs/
noun (pl) -ci (-saɪ)
1.
any spherical or nearly spherical bacterium, such as a staphylococcus Compare bacillus (sense 1), spirillum (sense 1)
2.
the part of a fruit that contains one seed and separates from the whole fruit at maturity
3.
any of the scale insects of the genus Coccus
Derived Forms
coccoid, coccal, coccic (ˈkɒksɪk) adjective
coccous, adjective
Word Origin
C18: from New Latin, from Greek kokkos berry, grain
Word Origin and History for coccus
n.

1763 as an insect genus (including the cochineal bug); 1883 as a type of bacterium, from Greek kokkos "grain, seed, berry" (see cocco-).

coccus in Medicine

coccus coc·cus (kŏk'əs)
n. pl. coc·ci (kŏk'sī, kŏk'ī)
A bacterium of round, spheroidal, or ovoid form.

coc'coid' (kŏk'oid') or coc'cal (kŏk'əl) adj.

-coccus suff.
A microorganism of spherical or spheroidal shape: streptococcus.

coccus in Science
coccus
  (kŏk'əs)   
Plural cocci (kŏk'sī, kŏk'ī)
Any of various bacteria having a round or ovoid form such as streptococcus or staphylococcus, usually grouped in chains.