2 syllables: Coc, cus. Stress on Coc.
KAH-kuhs
/ˈkɑkəs/
Coccus is pronounced KAH-kuhs (/ˈkɑkəs/). It has two syllables (Coc-cus), with the stress on "Coc". Coccus is a singular noun referring to a spherical bacterium or any spherical organism. In biology, cocci are typically arranged in pairs or clusters, and the term is used chiefly in microbiology and medical contexts. The word comes from Latin, meaning 'berry' or 'seed,' highlighting the berry-like shape of these cells.
nounCoccus is a singular noun referring to a spherical bacterium or any spherical organism. In biology, cocci are typically arranged in pairs or clusters, and the term is used chiefly in microbiology and medical contexts. The word comes from Latin, meaning 'berry' or 'seed,' highlighting the berry-like shape of these cells.
"The patient was diagnosed with a culture showing cocci in chains."
"Streptococcus species are diplococci and cocci that form characteristic clusters."
"Researchers cultured cocci to study their response to antibiotics."
Pronounce it as /ˈkɒk.əs/ (US/UK). The first syllable carries primary stress, rhyming with ‘rock-uss’ without blending. Start with a short, rounded ‘o’ as in ‘cot,’ then a clear /k/ stop, and finish with a schwa or a short /ə/ before the final /s/. Audio examples on Pronounce, Forvo, or YouGlish can reinforce the exact rhythm. Focus on keeping the /ɒ/ compact and the final /ə/ unstressed.
Common errors: 1) Misplacing stress on the second syllable (co-CUS). 2) Slurring to /ˈkɔkəs/ with a lax vowel. 3) Pronouncing the final /s/ as /z/. Correction: keep primary stress on the first syllable /ˈkɒk.əs/ and end with clear /s/. Practice with minimal pairs like /ˈkɒk.əs/ vs /ˈkɑː.kəs/ to feel the short /ɒ/; use a slight breath release before /s/ to avoid voicing.
In US/UK English, /ˈkɒk.əs/ with a short /ɒ/ (as in ‘cot’) and clear /s/. US rhotics don’t alter the /ɒ/; UK and US share /ɒ/. In Australian English, the /ɒ/ is often more centralized and tenser; some speakers may shift to /ˈkɒk.əs/ with a slightly higher vowel quality and a more clipped final /s/. Overall, accent differences are modest, mainly vowel height and duration rather than consonant changes.
The challenge lies in maintaining a crisp /k/ followed by a short /ɒ/ and in articulating the unstressed schwa /ə/ before the final /s/. Some speakers insert a /j/ or mispronounce as /ˈkə.kəs/; others overpronounce the middle vowel. Emphasize a tight, short first syllable, then relax into a quick, unvoiced /s/. IPA guidance and listening practice with native medical narration can help solidify the rhythm.
A notable feature is the presence of a clear, non-reduced first vowel /ɒ/ in most dialects, with the second syllable reducing to a weak /ə/ before /s/. Do not pronounce as /ˈko.kəs/ with a long /o/; keep the first vowel short and rounded. This aligns with many Latin-derived scientific terms where the first syllable bears the main load. Listening to medical lectures will help you gauge the emphasis and vowel length in real usage.
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Coccus comes from the Latin term cocccus, meaning ‘berry’ or ‘seed.’ The form was adopted into scientific Latin to describe a spherical bacterium. The taxonomic term cocci (plural) arose as a classical Latin neuter plural form. The Cambridge and early 19th-century microbiology lexicon standardized cocci to describe a uniform spherical morphology, contrasted with bacilli (rod-shaped) and spirilla (spiral). The usage expanded with advances in microscopy: Koch’s postulates and Gram staining clarified coccal shapes in clinical specimens. The first documented use in English biology literature appears in the late 18th to early 19th century, aligning with the rise of microscopic pathology and bacteriology. Over time, cocci became a generic descriptor in microbiology, applied to many genera including Staphylococcus and Streptococcus, while preserving the original Latin pluralization in modern scientific style. The term now appears in textbooks, journals, and clinical notes worldwide, retaining its precise morphological sense while crossing into broader discussions of cellular shape in microbiology. The word’s enduring utility lies in its concise descriptor of a common, widely studied bacterial form.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Coccus" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Coccus" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Coccus"
-cus sounds
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