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Glite Dictionary
⚪ Spherical shaped 🦠 A round microbe
coccoid

coccoid

9.9
Shaped like a small round cell, often a bacterium
  • adjective
  • /ˈkɑkoʊɪd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : coccal
  • The bacteria isolated from the sample were primarily coccoid in appearance.

Examples

  • Under the microscope, the structure revealed a cluster of coccoid cells.

  • The coccoid bacteria are common in soil.

  • Several coccoid species are known to cause infections in humans.

  • These coccoid cells can be harmful.

  • The bacteria isolated from the sample were primarily coccoid in appearance.

  • Under the microscope, the structure revealed a cluster of coccoid cells.

  • Several coccoid species are known to cause infections in humans.

Synonyms

coccal
vscoccoid
  • Specialized
9.7

Having the shape of a small round bacterium

is a direct shape description rather than a relational or resembling term

How Spherical

spherical
18 4.2
coccoid
  • Specialized
9.9
ovoid
1 6.1
rod-shaped
1 4.4

Surface Forms

coccoid positive

Morphology

coccoid = coccus (semi-transparent) = cocco + oid

Formally built from 'coccus' + the technical suffix '-oid' meaning 'resembling', but both elements are specialized scientific forms unfamiliar to an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Coccoid comes from the Greek root kokkos, which means 'berry' or 'seed', so it literally means 'berry-shaped' or round. That's why scientists use coccoid as an adjective for cells or microbes that look like tiny berries.