Streptococcal
/ˌstrɛptəˈkɒkəl/noun
Relating to bacteria of the genus Streptococcus, which commonly occur in chains or pairs.
Did you know?The name reflects the bacteria’s appearance: Greek *streptos* means “twisted” or “coiled,” while *kokkos* means “berry,” referring to their round cells arranged in chains.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
streptos
“Twisted, turned, or coiled”
Ancient Greek
Greek
kokkos
“A berry or grain; later used for a small rounded object”
19th Century
New Latin
Streptococcus
“A bacterial genus named for its round cells arranged in chains”
1874
Medical Latin
Streptococcus
“The genus established in medical bacteriology for chain-forming spherical bacteria”
19th Century
English
streptococcal
“Relating to Streptococcus bacteria”
Modern English
English
streptococcal
“Relating to or caused by streptococci, including bacteria associated with conditions such as strep throat”
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