Streptococcus - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Streptococcus is a type of spherical bacteria that grows in chains. Some species can cause infections like strep throat, while others are harmless or beneficial to humans.
Definition:
A genus of spherical bacteria that grow in chains and cause various infections.
Synonyms:
strep, streptococcal bacteria, cocci
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
(No direct antonyms; context-dependent) beneficial bacteria, probiotics
Common Collocations:
streptococcus infection, streptococcus bacteria, streptococcus pyogenes, group A streptococcus
Derivatives:
streptococcal, streptococcic
Usage Tips:
Use "streptococcus" when referring to the bacterial genus; "strep" is informal for infections like strep throat.
Common Phrases:
strep throat, group A strep, invasive streptococcus
Etymology:
From Greek "streptos" (twisted) + "kokkos" (berry), describing its chain-like formation under a microscope.
Examples:
- 1. The lab identified streptococcus in the patient's throat culture.
- 2. Streptococcus can cause infections like pneumonia and scarlet fever.
- 3. She was prescribed antibiotics for her streptococcus infection.
- 4. Not all strains of streptococcus are harmful to humans.