noun
staphylococcus
staf-ih-luh-KAH-kus/ˌstæfɪləˈkɑːkəs/
A spherical bacterium that forms clusters and can cause infections.
A staphylococcus can live on the skin without causing illness.
Etymology
The grape-bunch and berry imagery describes round bacteria that usually gather in irregular clusters. The name points to their shape and arrangement rather than their ability to cause infection.
In context
the main one is Staphylococcus aureus which is gram-positive cocci
More examples
- The lab identifies staphylococci in the wound sample.
- Some staphylococci resist several commonly used antibiotics.
- Under a microscope, staphylococci often appear in grape-like clusters.
Forms
staphylococcus · staphylococci
staphylococcal adjective — Caused by or relating to staphylococci.
Similar words
- coccus
- Any spherical bacterium, not necessarily one that forms clusters.
- bacterium
- A broader term covering many shapes and types.