staphylococci

/,stæfilə'kɔkəs/

Friendly

Word: Staphylococci

Part of Speech: Noun (plural)

Definition: Staphylococci are a type of bacteria that are round (spherical) in shape. They are usually found in clusters that look like a bunch of grapes. Some staphylococci can cause infections in humans, leading to problems like boils, skin infections, and more serious conditions like septicemia (a serious bloodstream infection).

Usage Instructions:

• Context: You usually encounter the term "staphylococci" in medical, scientific, or healthcare settings, as it relates to bacteria and infections.
• Form: Use it in the plural form "staphylococci" when referring to the bacteria in general. The singular form is "staphylococcus."

Example Sentence:

• "The doctor explained that the patient's infection was caused by staphylococci."

Advanced Usage:

In more advanced discussions, you might talk about specific types of staphylococci, like "Staphylococcus aureus," which is a common strain that can cause serious infections.

Word Variants:

• Staphylococcus (singular): Refers to one bacterium of this type.
• Staphylococcal (adjective): Describes something related to staphylococci, such as "staphylococcal infection."

Different Meanings:

In general, "staphylococci" specifically refers to this type of bacteria. It does not have different meanings outside of the scientific context.

Synonyms:

While there aren't direct synonyms for "staphylococci," you may encounter terms like: - Grapes-like bacteria (descriptive term) - Pathogenic bacteria (referring to bacteria that cause disease)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs that use "staphylococci," as it is a technical term.

Conclusion:

In summary, staphylococci are round bacteria that can cause infections. They are important in medical discussions, especially regarding skin infections and other health issues.

Academic

Noun

1. spherical Gram-positive parasitic bacteria that tend to form irregular colonies; some cause boils or septicemia or infections

Synonyms

• staphylococcus
• staph