streptococcus

Morphologically a compound of strepto- +‎ -coccus. They grow in chains or pairs, thus the name — from Ancient Greek στρεπτός (streptós, “twisted, pliant”), like a chain. Compare the genus name Streptococcus.

streptococcus (plural streptococci)

1. A spherical, gram-positive bacterium of the genus Streptococcus. Although commonly found benignly in the human mouth and gut, and though many species are non-pathogenic, other species can cause diseases including strep throat and more serious conditions.

   Synonyms: strep, (clippings) strepto

• strep, strep throat

• coccus
• streptococcal