micrococcus

noun

mi·​cro·​coc·​cus ˌmī-krō-ˈkä-kəs How to pronounce micrococcus (audio)
plural micrococci ˌmī-krō-ˈkäk-(ˌ)sī How to pronounce micrococcus (audio)
-(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 adjective

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of micrococcus was in 1870

Dictionary Entries Near micrococcus

Cite this Entry

“Micrococcus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/micrococcus. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

micrococcus

noun
mi·​cro·​coc·​cus ˌmī-krō-ˈkäk-əs How to pronounce micrococcus (audio)
: a small bacterium that is shaped like a ball

Medical Definition

micrococcus

noun
mi·​cro·​coc·​cus ˌmī-krō-ˈkäk-əs How to pronounce micrococcus (audio)
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 How to pronounce micrococcus (audio) : a small spherical bacterium
especially : any bacterium of the genus Micrococcus

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