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
OTHER WORDS FROM spirillum
spi·ril·lar, adjectiveWords nearby spirillum
spirelet,
spireme,
spires,
spiriferous,
spirillar,
spirillum,
spirillum minus,
spirit,
spirit away,
spirit cave,
spirit compass
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, adjectiveWord Origin for spirillum
C19: from New Latin, literally: a little coil, from
spīra a coil
Medical definitions for spirillum (1 of 2)
spirillum
[ spī-rĭl′əm ]
n. pl. spi•ril•la (-rĭl′ə)
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-rĭl′əm ]
Plural spirilla
Any of various bacteria that are shaped like a spiral, such as the spirochete Treponema pallidum, which causes syphilis.