spirillum

[ spahy-ril-uh m ]
/ spaɪˈrɪl əm /

noun, plural spi·ril·la [spahy-ril-uh] /spaɪˈrɪl ə/. Bacteriology.

any of several spirally twisted, aerobic bacteria of the genus Spirillum, certain species of which are pathogenic for humans.
any of various similar microorganisms.

Origin of spirillum

1870–75; < New Latin, equivalent to Latin spīr(a) (see spire2) + -illum diminutive suffix

OTHER WORDS FROM spirillum

spi·ril·lar, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for spirillum

British Dictionary definitions for spirillum

spirillum
/ (spaɪˈrɪləm) /

noun plural -la (-lə)

any bacterium having a curved or spirally twisted rodlike body Compare coccus (def. 1), bacillus (def. 1)
any bacterium of the genus Spirillum, such as S. minus, which causes ratbite fever

Derived forms of spirillum

spirillar, adjective

Word Origin for spirillum

C19: from New Latin, literally: a little coil, from spīra a coil

Medical definitions for spirillum (1 of 2)

spirillum
[ spī-rĭləm ]

n. pl. spi•ril•la (-rĭlə)

A member of the genus Spirillum.
Any of various other spiral-shaped microorganisms.

Medical definitions for spirillum (2 of 2)

Spirillum

n.

A genus of large, aerobic, gram-negative bacteria having an elongated spiral form and a tuft of flagella.

Scientific definitions for spirillum

spirillum
[ spī-rĭləm ]

Plural spirilla

Any of various bacteria that are shaped like a spiral, such as the spirochete Treponema pallidum, which causes syphilis.