staphylococcus

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staph·y·lo·coc·cus / ˌstaf(ə)lōˈkäkəs/ • n. (pl. staphylococci / -ˈkäkˌsī; -ˌsē/ ) a bacterium of a genus (Staphylococcus) that includes many pathogenic kinds that cause pus formation, esp. in the skin and mucous membranes.DERIVATIVES: staph·y·lo·coc·cal / -ˈkäkəl/ adj.

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