spirillum

[ spahy-ril-uhm ]

noun

, Bacteriology.

, plural spi·ril·la [spahy-, ril, -, uh].

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

spirillum

/ spaɪˈrɪləm /

noun

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

spirillum

/ spī-rĭl′əm /

, Plural spirilla

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

Derived Forms

• spiˈrillar, adjective

Other Words From

• spi·rillar adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of spirillum¹

1870–75; < New Latin, equivalent to Latin spīr ( a ) ( spire ² ) + -illum diminutive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of spirillum¹

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

Example Sentences

DEFINITION.—Relapsing fever is an epidemic contagious disease, the specific cause of which is not certainly known, although a peculiar spirillum appears to be constantly present in the blood.

From Project Gutenberg

For some years it was called the “comma bacillus,” from its supposed resemblance in shape to a comma, but it was subsequently found Causation. to be a vibrio or spirillum, not a bacillus.

From Project Gutenberg

The same is true of Schizomycetes, to which all the bacteria, bacillus, spirillum, and vibrio, and a number of other groups belong.

From Project Gutenberg

The spirillum, volutans is often found in drinking water, and in common with some other specimens of this class is provided with flagellæ, sometimes at both extremities, which furnish the means of rapid locomotion.

From Project Gutenberg

On account of this developmental change, he doubted if the cholera organism should be ranked with bacilli; it is rather a transitional form between the bacillus and the spirillum.

From Project Gutenberg