diplococcus

noun

dip·​lo·​coc·​cus ˌdip-lō-ˈkä-kəs How to pronounce diplococcus (audio)
plural diplococci ˌdip-lō-ˈkäk-ˌsī How to pronounce diplococcus (audio)
-ˌsē,
-ˈkä-ˌkī How to pronounce diplococcus (audio)
-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

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, genus name

First Known Use

circa 1881, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of diplococcus was circa 1881

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Cite this Entry

“Diplococcus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diplococcus. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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