nounWord forms: plural-cocci (-ˈkɒkaɪ, US English -ˈkɒksaɪ)
any Gram-positive spherical bacterium of the genus Streptococcus, typically occurring in chains and including many pathogenic species, such as S. pyogenes, which causes scarlet fever, sore throat, etc: family Lactobacillaceae
Often shortened to: strep
Derived forms
streptococcal (ˌstrɛptəʊˈkɒkəl) or rare streptococcic (ˌstrɛptəʊˈkɒkɪk, US English -ˈkɒksɪk)
any of a genus (Streptococcus) of spherical, Gram-positive bacteria that divide in only one plane and occur generally in chains: some species cause various serious diseases
Derived forms
streptococcal (ˌstreptoˈcoccal) (ˌstrɛptəˈkɑkəl)
adjective or ˌstreptoˈcoccic (ˌstrɛptəˈkɑksɪk)
Word origin
ModL < Gr streptos, twisted (see streptomyces) + coccus