staphylococcus

[ staf-uh-luh-kok-uh s ]
/ ˌstæf ə ləˈkɒk əs /

noun, plural staph·y·lo·coc·ci [staf-uh-luh-kok-sahy] /ˌstæf ə ləˈkɒk saɪ/. Bacteriology.

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 of staphylococcus

From New Latin, dating back to 1885–90; see origin at staphylo-, coccus

OTHER WORDS FROM staphylococcus

staph·y·lo·coc·cal [staf-uh-luh-kok-uh l] /ˌstæf ə ləˈkɒk əl/, staph·y·lo·coc·cic [staf-uh-luh-kok-sik] /ˌstæf ə ləˈkɒk sɪk/, adjective

Words nearby staphylococcus

staphylion, staphylo-, staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome, staphylococcemia, staphylococcosis, staphylococcus, staphylococcus antitoxin, staphylococcus aureus, staphylococcus pyogenes albus, staphyloderma, staphylodermatitis

Example sentences from the Web for staphylococcus

British Dictionary definitions for staphylococcus

staphylococcus
/ (ˌstæfɪləʊˈkɒkəs) /

noun plural -cocci (-ˈkɒkaɪ, US -ˈkɒksaɪ)

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 of staphylococcus

staphylococcal (ˌstæfɪləʊˈkɒkəl) or staphylococcic (ˌstæfɪləʊˈkɒkɪk, US -ˈkɒksɪk), adjective

Word Origin for staphylococcus

C19: from staphylo- (in the sense: like a bunch of grapes) + coccus so called because of their shape

Medical definitions for staphylococcus

staphylococcus
[ stăf′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.

Other words from staphylococcus

staph′y•lo•coc′cal (-kŏk′əl) null adj.

Scientific definitions for staphylococcus

staphylococcus
[ stăf′ə-lō-kŏk′əs ]

Plural staphylococci (stăf′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.

Cultural definitions for staphylococcus

staphylococcus
[ (staf-uh-loh-kok-uhs) ]

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