[mod.L., a. Gr. κόκκος grain, seed, berry, kermes-grain: see ALKERMES. In sense 2, earlier botanists used L. coccum.]
1. The genus of Homopterous insects which includes the Cochineal (C. cacti), the Kermes or Scarlet Grain (C. ilicis), the Lac insect (C. Lacca), and numerous species hurtful to many plants. Applied in Pharmacy to the dried female of the cochineal insect.
1763. Wolfe, Cochineal, in Phil. Trans., LIV. 95. The insects creep out of their coccusses from the beginning of June till the middle of August.
1813. Bingley, Anim. Biog. (ed. 4), III. 197. The coccus or cochineal of the peach tree.
1835. Kirby, Hab. & Inst. Anim., I. ix. 299. The die of the purple is mentioned in scripture as well as that of the coccus.
1874. Lubbock, Orig. & Met. Ins., i. 26. The male Coccus is a minute, active insect, with 4 large wings.
2. Bot. One of the carpels of a dry fruit, which burst with elasticity from the common axis.
1800. J. Hull, Bot., I. 111. A coccum can be easily distinguished by that mark.
1821. S. F. Gray, Nat. Arrangem. Brit. Plants, 199. Coccum.
1830. Lindley, Nat. Syst. Bot., 130. Fruit separating into distinct cocci.
1870. Hooker, Stud. Flora, 75. Geranieæ … capsule beaked, of several 1-seeded awned cocci.
