staphylococcus

[ staf-uh-luh-kok-uhs ]

noun

, Bacteriology.

, plural staph·y·lo·coc·ci [staf-, uh, -l, uh, -, kok, -sahy].

1. any of several spherical bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus, occurring in pairs, tetrads, and irregular clusters, certain species of which, as S. aureus, can be pathogenic for humans.

staphylococcus

/ ˌstæfɪləʊˈkɒkəs; ˌstæfɪləʊˈkɒkɪk; ˌstæfɪləʊˈkɒkəl; -ˈkɒksɪk /

noun

1. any spherical Gram-positive bacterium of the genus Staphylococcus , typically occurring in clusters and including many pathogenic species, causing boils, infection in wounds, and septicaemia: family Micrococcaceae Often shortened tostaph

staphylococcus

/ stăf′ə-lō-kŏk′əs /

, Plural staphylococci stăf′ə-lō-kŏk′sī,-kŏk′ī

1. Any of various bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus that are gram-positive cocci and are normally found on the skin and mucous membranes of warm-blooded animals. Pathogenic strains such as S. aureus commonly cause infections of the skin, bones, lungs and other organs. Some staphylococcal disease, such as food poisoning, is caused by a toxin produced by the bacteria.

staphylococcus

1. A category of bacteria that can cause boils, blood poisoning, and other serious infections .

Derived Forms

• staphylococcal, adjective

Other Words From

• staph·y·lo·coc·cal [staf-, uh, -l, uh, -, kok, -, uh, l], staph·y·lo·coc·cic [staf-, uh, -l, uh, -, kok, -sik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of staphylococcus¹

From New Latin, dating back to 1885–90; staphylo-, coccus

Word History and Origins

Origin of staphylococcus¹

C19: from staphylo- (in the sense: like a bunch of grapes) + coccus so called because of their shape

Example Sentences

The advancement was proven to reduce the harmful effects of Staphylococcus epidermidis, a common bacterium known for causing hospital-acquired infections and contributing to antibiotic resistance.

From Science Daily

To validate these findings, the researchers synthesized 100 of these peptides and tested them against 11 disease-causing bacterial strains, including antibiotic-resistant strains of E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

From Science Daily

They found 79 disrupted bacterial membranes and 63 specifically targeted antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.

From Science Daily

Further tests showed 15 of these isolates -- including examples of Proteobacteria and Firmicutes -- showed varying levels of inhibition against human pathogens including E.coli, Staphylococcus Aureus and Shigella flexneri.

From Science Daily

The team has taken several leaps forward in understanding how the immune response works in cases of eczema driven by the common, troublesome Staphylococcus aureus bacterium, and in doing so they have identified new cellular targets for a vaccine.

From Science Daily