diplococcus

noun

dip·​lo·​coc·​cus ˌdip-lō-ˈkä-kəs 

plural diplococci ˌdip-lō-ˈkäk-ˌsī 

-ˌsē,

-ˈkä-ˌkī 

-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

Kids Definition

diplococcus

noun

dip·​lo·​coc·​cus ˌdip-lō-ˈkäk-əs 

plural diplococci -ˈkäk-ˌ(s)ī  -ˌ(s)ē 

: 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 

: 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

-əl 

adjective