staphylococcus

[staf-uh-luh-kok-uh s] /ˌstæf ə ləˈkɒk əs/
noun, plural staphylococci
[staf-uh-luh-kok-sahy] /ˌstæf ə ləˈkɒk saɪ/ (Show IPA). Bacteriology
1.
any of several spherical bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus, occurring in pairs, tetrads, and irregular clusters, certain species of which, as S. aureus, can be pathogenic for humans.
Origin
1885-90; < Neo-Latin; see staphylo-, coccus
Related forms
staphylococcal
[staf-uh-luh-kok-uh l] /ˌstæf ə ləˈkɒk əl/ (Show IPA), staphylococcic
[staf-uh-luh-kok-sik] /ˌstæf ə ləˈkɒk sɪk/ (Show IPA), adjective
British Dictionary definitions for staphylococci

staphylococcus

/ˌstæfɪləʊˈkɒkəs/
noun (pl) -cocci (-ˈkɒkaɪ; US) (-ˈkɒksaɪ)
1.
any spherical Gram-positive bacterium of the genus Staphylococcus, typically occurring in clusters and including many pathogenic species, causing boils, infection in wounds, and septicaemia: family Micrococcaceae Often shortened to staph
Derived Forms
staphylococcal (ˌstæfɪləʊˈkɒkəl), staphylococcic (ˌstæfɪləʊˈkɒkɪk; US) (-ˈkɒksɪk) adjective
Word Origin
C19: from staphylo- (in the sense: like a bunch of grapes) + coccus so called because of their shape
Word Origin and History for staphylococci

staphylococcus

n.

(plural staphylococci), 1887, Modern Latin, the genus name, coined (on model of streptococcus) in 1882 by Scottish surgeon and bacteriologist Alexander Ogston (1844-1929), from Greek staphyle "bunch of grapes" (see staff (n.)) + Modern Latin coccus "spherical bacterium," from Greek kokkos "berry, grain" (see cocco-). So called because the bacteria usually bunch together in irregular masses.

staphylococci in Medicine

staphylococcus staph·y·lo·coc·cus (stāf'ə-lō-kŏk'əs)
n. pl. staph·y·lo·coc·ci (-kŏk'sī, -kŏk'ī)
A spherical gram-positive parasitic bacterium of the genus Staphylococcus, usually occurring in clusters and causing boils, septicemia, and other infections.

staph'y·lo·coc'cal (-kŏk'əl) or staph'y·lo·coc·'cic (-kŏk'sĭk, -kŏk'ĭk) adj.
staphylococci in Science
staphylococcus
  (stāf'ə-lō-kŏk'əs)   
Plural staphylococci (stāf'ə-lō-kŏk'sī, -kŏk'ī)
Any of various bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus that are gram-positive cocci and are normally found on the skin and mucous membranes of warm-blooded animals. Pathogenic strains such as S. aureus commonly cause infections of the skin, bones, lungs and other organs. Some staphylococcal disease, such as food poisoning, is caused by a toxin produced by the bacteria.
staphylococci in Culture
staphylococcus [(staf-uh-loh-kok-uhs)]

A category of bacteria that can cause boils, blood poisoning, and other serious infections.