staphylococcus

Definition

A spherical gram-positive parasitic bacterium of the genus Staphylococcus, causing blisters, septicemia, and other infections.

Etymology

Borrowed from translingual Staphylococcus. By surface analysis, staphylo- + -coccus.

Example Sentences

• "This Scottish bacteriologist accidentally discovered the antibiotic penicillin after bacteria-killing fungus formed on staphylococci cultures he had left unattended."