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Definition of: coccus
(kok′əs) noun plural coc·ci (kok′sī)
1. Bot. a One of the dry, one-seeded portions into which a schizocarp splits. b A spore mother cell in which the spores are contained for a time after their maturity.
2. Bacteriol. One of the principal forms of bacteria, characterized by an ovoid or spherical shape: often used in combination: streptococcus. See illustration under BACTERIUM.
3. Entomol. One of a genus (Coccus) of scale insects. [<NL <Gk. kokkos berry]
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