micrococcus

noun

mi·​cro·​coc·​cus ˌmī-krō-ˈkä-kəs 

plural micrococci ˌmī-krō-ˈkäk-(ˌ)sī 

-(ˌ)sē;

-ˈkä-(ˌ)kī,

-(ˌ)kē

: a small spherical bacterium

especially : any of a genus (Micrococcus) of gram-positive chiefly harmless bacteria that typically occur in irregular clusters

micrococcal

ˌmī-krō-ˈkä-kəl 

adjective

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

micrococcus

noun

mi·​cro·​coc·​cus ˌmī-krō-ˈkäk-əs 

: a small bacterium that is shaped like a ball

Medical Definition

micrococcus

noun

mi·​cro·​coc·​cus ˌmī-krō-ˈkäk-əs 

1

capitalized : a large genus (the type genus of the family Micrococcaceae) of nonmotile gram-positive spherical bacteria that occur in tetrads or irregular clusters and include nonpathogenic forms (as M. luteus) that are typically harmless saprophytes on human skin but may cause opportunistic skin infections in immunocompromised individuals

2

plural micrococci -ˈkäk-ˌ(s)ī  : a small spherical bacterium

especially : any bacterium of the genus Micrococcus