streptococcus

noun (plural streptococci /-ˈkɒk(s)ʌɪ, -ˈkɒk(s)iː/)

• a bacterium of a genus that includes the agents of souring of milk and dental decay, and haemolytic pathogens causing various infections such as scarlet fever and pneumonia.

  • Genus Streptococcus; Gram-positive cocci in pairs and chains