treponema

[ trep-uh-nee-muh ]
/ ˌtrɛp əˈni mə /

noun, plural trep·o·ne·mas, trep·o·ne·ma·ta [trep-uh-nee-muh-tuh] /ˌtrɛp əˈni mə tə/.

any of several anaerobic spirochetes of the genus Treponema, certain species of which are parasitic in and pathogenic for humans and warm-blooded animals.

Origin of treponema

1905–10; < New Latin: genus name < Greek trép(ein) to turn + -o- -o- + nêma thread

OTHER WORDS FROM treponema

trep·o·nem·a·tous [trep-uh-nem-uh-tuh s, -nee-muh-] /ˌtrɛp əˈnɛm ə təs, -ˈni mə-/, trep·o·ne·mal, adjective

Words nearby treponema

trephine, trepid, trepidant, trepidatio cordis, trepidation, treponema, treponema pallidum, treponema pallidum hemagglutination test, treponema pallidum immobilization test, treponema pertenue, treponemal

Example sentences from the Web for treponema

  • This disease is caused by a microorganism known as the spirochaeta pallida or treponema pallidum of Schaudinn and Hoffmann.

    Surgery, with Special Reference to Podiatry |Maximilian Stern

  • Postmortem examination always shows that the Treponema has wrought wide-spread damage in the brain.

    Being Well-Born |Michael F. Guyer

  • Syphilis is caused by Treponema pallidum, a small unicellular animal parasite.

    Being Well-Born |Michael F. Guyer

British Dictionary definitions for treponema

treponema

treponeme (ˈtrɛpəniːm)

/ (ˌtrɛpəˈniːmə) /

noun plural -nemas, -nemata (-ˈniːmətə) or -nemes

any anaerobic spirochaete bacterium of the genus Treponema, such as T. pallidum which causes syphilis

Derived forms of treponema

treponematous (ˌtrɛpəˈnɛmətəs), adjective

Word Origin for treponema

C19: from New Latin, from Greek trepein to turn + nēma thread

Medical definitions for treponema

Treponema
[ trĕp′ə-nē′mə ]

n.

A genus of anaerobic spirochetes including species that cause syphilis, pinta, and yaws.