spiro-

¹

1. a combining form meaning “respiration,” used in the formation of compound words:

   spirograph.

spiro-

²

1. a combining form meaning “coil,” “spiral,” used in the formation of compound words:

   spirochete.

spiro-

¹

combining_form

1. spiral; coil

   spirochaete

spiro-

²

combining_form

1. indicating breath or respiration

   spirograph

Word History and Origins

Origin of spiro-¹

Combining form of Latin spīrāre “to breathe”

Origin of spiro-²

Combining form of Latin spīra, from Greek speîra “coil”

Word History and Origins

Origin of spiro-¹

from Latin spīra, from Greek speira a coil

Origin of spiro-²

from Latin spīrāre to breathe

Example Sentences

The first, Spiro Agnew, won in 1966 as the liberal running against a segregationist Democrat.

From The Daily Beast

Bill casually proposes to Hillary as the resignation of Vice President Spiro Agnew plays in the background.

From The Daily Beast

Aaron Burr and Richard Cheney (Spiro Agnew's peccadilloes are miniscule in comparison), some two centuries apart.

From The Daily Beast

Is Sarah Palin morphing from Spiro Agnew to the new Nixon before our eyes?

From The Daily Beast

The real commander was a Greek captain, named Spiro Calligero.

From Project Gutenberg

Hundreds of Corfutes bear his name, now abridged into the familiar diminutive of "Spiro."

From Project Gutenberg

The spiro-bacteria, or micrococci, are the simplest of the fungi, and appear as minute organisms of spherical form.

From Project Gutenberg

The spiro-bacteria multiply by spores, although little is at present known of their life history.

From Project Gutenberg

The stout man looked at Denny and me; then he looked at Demetri and Spiro, who stood near us, smiling their usual grim smile.

From Project Gutenberg