diplococcus

noun

dip·​lo·​coc·​cus ˌdip-lō-ˈkä-kəs How to pronounce diplococcus (audio)
plural diplococci ˌdip-lō-ˈkäk-ˌsī How to pronounce diplococcus (audio)
-ˌsē,
-ˈkä-ˌkī How to pronounce diplococcus (audio)
-ˌkē
: any of various encapsulated bacteria (such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, a common cause of pneumonia) that usually occur in pairs and that were formerly grouped in a single taxon (genus Diplococcus) but are now all assigned to other genera

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, genus name

First Known Use

circa 1881, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of diplococcus was circa 1881

Dictionary Entries Near diplococcus

Cite this Entry

“Diplococcus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diplococcus. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

diplococcus

noun
dip·​lo·​coc·​cus ˌdip-lō-ˈkäk-əs How to pronounce diplococcus (audio)
plural diplococci -ˈkäk-ˌ(s)ī How to pronounce diplococcus (audio) -ˌ(s)ē How to pronounce diplococcus (audio)
: any of various bacteria that occur usually in pairs in a capsule and include some that cause serious diseases

Medical Definition

diplococcus

noun
dip·​lo·​coc·​cus -ˈkäk-əs How to pronounce diplococcus (audio)
: any of various encapsulated bacteria (as the pneumococcus) that usually occur in pairs and that were formerly grouped in a single taxon (genus Diplococcus) but are now all assigned to other genera
diplococcal adjective

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