[ ˌstafɪlə(ʊ)'kɒkəs ]
■ noun ( plural staphylococci -'kɒk(s)ʌɪ , -'kɒk(s)i: ) a bacterium of a genus including many pathogenic kinds that cause pus formation. [Genus Staphylococcus .]
Derivatives
staphylococcal adjective
Origin
mod. L., from Gk staphulē 'bunch of grapes' + kokkos 'berry'.