cocci

n. (Med.) any of a group of infectious diseases caused by protozoan parasites (coccidia) of the order Coccidia, which infect the intestines of birds, dogs, and other vertebrates. [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

n.; pl. coccidia (Microbiol.) any sporozoan of the order Coccidia, parasitic on the digestive epithelium of vertebrates and higher invertebrates. It is the causative agent of coccidiosis, which can be a problem in poultry rearing. [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

a. [ L. coccum a berry + -ferous. See Coccus. ] Bearing or producing berries; bacciferous; as, cocciferous trees or plants. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ NL., fr. L. coccineus scarlet-colored. See Cochoneal. ] (Zool.) A genus of small beetles of many species. They and their larvæ feed on aphids or plant lice, and hence are of great benefit to man. Also called ladybirds and ladybugs. [ 1913 Webster ]