diplococcus

noun dip·lo·coc·cus \ -ˈkä-kəs \

Definition of diplococcus

plural diplococci play \-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

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Origin and Etymology of diplococcus

New Latin, genus name

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1881

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

diplococcus

noun dip·lo·coc·cus \ -ˈkäk-əs \

medical Definition of diplococcus

: 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

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