staphylococcus
pronunciation
How to pronounce staphylococcus in British English:
UK [ˌstæfɪləˈkɒkəs]
How to pronounce staphylococcus in American English:
US [ˌstæfɪləˈkɑkəs]
-
- Noun:
- spherical gram-positive parasitic bacteria that tend to form irregular colonies; some cause boils or septicemia or infections
Word Origin
- staphylococcus (n.)
- (plural staphylococci), 1887, Modern Latin, the genus name, coined (on model of streptococcus) in 1882 by Scottish surgeon and bacteriologist Alexander Ogston (1844-1929). The first element is from comb. form of Greek staphyle "bunch of grapes," which possibly is from PIE *stabh-, variant of *stebh- "post, stem; to support" (see staff (n.)). The second element is Modern Latin coccus "spherical bacterium," from Greek kokkos "berry, grain" (see cocco-). So called because the bacteria usually bunch together in irregular masses.
Example
- 1. Also found on money : staphylococcus bacteria and fecal matter .
- 2. Other bacteria including food poisoning bugs e.coli and staphylococcus aureus were found on the phones but at safe levels .
- 3. One of the prototypical superbugs caused by antibiotic use ( and overuse ) is methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus ( mrsa ) .
- 4. The acetic acid in the vinegar is a good disinfectant , effective against such harmful bugs as e. coli , salmonella , and staphylococcus .
- 5. There was one place where a kind of mold had started growing , and the staphylococcus had completely died around this place .