leptospira

[ lep-tuh-spahy-ruh ]
/ ˌlɛp təˈspaɪ rə /

noun, plural lep·to·spi·rae [lep-tuh-spahy-ree] /ˌlɛp təˈspaɪ ri/, lep·to·spi·ras. Bacteriology.

any of several spirally shaped, aerobic bacteria of the genus Leptospira, certain species of which are pathogenic for human beings.

Origin of leptospira

< New Latin (1917), equivalent to lepto- lepto- + Latin spīra coil; see spire2

OTHER WORDS FROM leptospira

lep·to·spi·ral, adjective

Words nearby leptospira

leptophyllous, leptorrhine, leptosomatic, leptosome, leptospermum, leptospira, leptospiral jaundice, leptospirosis, leptospiruria, leptosporangiate, leptotene

Medical definitions for leptospira

Leptospira
[ lĕp′tō-spī′rə ]

n.

A genus of aerobic spirochetes of the order Spirochaetales, consisting of thin, tightly coiled cells, many species of which cause leptospirosis.