n pl :  a family of heterotrophic spherical or elliptical gram-positive usu. nonmotile bacteria that usu. lack endospores, divide in two or three planes forming pairs, tetrads, or masses of cells, are aerobic or facultatively anaerobic, and produce yellow, orange, or red pigment and that include pathogenic toxin-producing forms (as Staphylococcus aureus) as well as numerous harmless commensals and saprophytes .
 
   
 
Similar sounding terms:  mi·cro·coc·cus 
 
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