What does micrococcus mean?
A micrococcus is a bacterium belonging to the genus Micrococcus, a group of mostly Gram-positive bacteria found in soil, air, skin, and other natural or human-associated environments. Their cells are characteristically spherical, resembling tiny berries, and often gather in irregular clusters rather than chains. The name combines a prefix meaning “small” with coccus, a term derived from a Greek word for a berry or grain. Micrococcus is principally a scientific and medical term, so it appears most often in microbiology, laboratory culture, taxonomy, and descriptions of bacterial morphology. Identification of a particular micrococcus generally requires more than its appearance: a specimen may be examined through Gram staining, culture, biochemical testing, or genetic analysis. Although the word can refer to the genus as a whole, it also commonly denotes an individual bacterium within that genus.
nounA bacterium of the genus Micrococcus, a group of mostly Gram-positive bacteria whose spherical cells commonly occur in irregular clusters.
- A bacterium belonging to the bacterial genus Micrococcus, especially one with spherical cells arranged in irregular clusters.
"The specimen was identified as a micrococcus after Gram staining and culture."
"Researchers examined the micrococcus under a microscope and prepared samples for genetic sequencing."
"The culture contained a micrococcus that had been isolated from the patient's skin."
The plural is micrococci, with the ending pronounced like the plural of coccus.
"Several micrococci were visible in the culture preparation."
The name means “small berry,” an apt description of the bacteria’s tiny, spherical cells.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does micrococcus come from?
Micrococcus was formed in scientific Latin from the prefix micro-, meaning “small,” and coccus, a term derived from Greek kokkos, “berry” or “grain.” The name describes the small, rounded form of the bacteria. Coccus and several other terms based on Greek mikros, including microbe and microcosm, reflect this shared tradition of naming very small biological forms.
Related word forms
How micrococcus is actually used
In taxonomic writing, the genus name Micrococcus is capitalized and conventionally italicized. Outside formal taxonomy, the word is uncommon and is mainly used in microbiology and medical contexts.
Easily confused with micrococcus
A coccus is any roughly spherical bacterium, whereas a micrococcus specifically belongs to the genus Micrococcus.