spirochete

or spi·ro·chaete

[ spahy-ruh-keet ]
/ ˈspaɪ rəˌkit /

noun

any of various spiral-shaped motile bacteria of the family Spirochaetaceae, certain species, as Treponema, Leptospira, and Borrelia, being pathogenic to humans and other animals, and other species being free-living, saprophytic, or parasitic.

Origin of spirochete

1875–80; < New Latin spīrochaeta. See spiro-2, chaeta-

OTHER WORDS FROM spirochete

spi·ro·chet·al, spi·ro·che·tic, adjective

Words nearby spirochete

spirketting, spiro-, spirochaeta, spirochaete, spirochaetosis, spirochete, spirochetemia, spirochetosis, spirogram, spirograph, spirogyra

British Dictionary definitions for spirochaete

spirochaete

US spirochete

/ (ˈspaɪrəʊˌkiːt) /

noun

any of a group of spirally coiled rodlike bacteria that includes the causative agent of syphilis See treponema

Word Origin for spirochaete

C19: from New Latin spīrochaeta; see spiro- ², chaeta

Medical definitions for spirochaete

spirochete
[ spī′rə-kēt′ ]

n.

Any of various slender, spiral, motile bacteria of the order Spirochaetales, many of which are pathogenic, causing syphilis, relapsing fever, yaws, and other diseases.

Scientific definitions for spirochaete

spirochete
[ spī′rə-kēt′ ]

Any of various bacteria of the order Spirochaetales that are shaped like a spiral, such as Treponema pallidum, the pathogen that causes syphilis.