spirillum

American  

[spahy-ril-uhm] / spaɪˈrɪl əm /

noun

Bacteriology.

plural

spirilla

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.

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spirillum British  

/ 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

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spirillum Scientific  

/ 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.

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Other Word Forms

• spirillar adjective

Etymology

Origin of spirillum

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

Compare meaning

How does spirillum compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• spirillum vs. spirochete

Example Sentences

One is a wriggly spirillum, the other a cigar-shaped bacillus.

From Time Magazine Archive

That is a spirillum that lives in the blood of rats and mice.�

From Time Magazine Archive

"In some way," he replied quickly, "they have become infected by the bite of an African tick which carries spirillum fever."

From The Romance of Elaine Sequel to "Exploits of Elaine" by Reeve, Arthur B. (Arthur Benjamin)

For the tick that carries the spirillum is blind and cannot climb any smooth surface.

From Sketches of the East Africa Campaign by Dolbey, Robert Valentine

The following description of the mode of examining the blood, and of the spirillum, is condensed from H. V. Carter's account: It is necessary to employ magnifying powers of not less than 500 diameters.

From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various