Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Streptococcus \Strep`to*coc"cus\, n.; pl. {Streptococci}. [NL.,
   fr. Gr. ? pliant, curved + ? a grain, seed.] (Biol.)
   A long or short chain of micrococci, more or less curved.

Source : WordNet®

streptococcus
     n : spherical gram-positive bacteria occurring in pairs or
         chains; cause e.g. scarlet fever and tonsillitis [syn: {streptococci},
          {strep}]
     [also: {streptococci} (pl)]