Word Study
spirillum
CIDE DICTIONARY
spirillum, n. [NL., dim. of L. spira a coil.].
A genus of common motile microörganisms (Spirobacteria ) having the form of spiral-shaped filaments. One species is said to be the cause of relapsing fever. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
spirillum, n. (pl. spirilla)
1 any bacterium of the genus Spirillum, characterized by a rigid spiral structure.
2 any bacterium with a similar shape.
1 any bacterium of the genus Spirillum, characterized by a rigid spiral structure.
2 any bacterium with a similar shape.
Etymology
mod.L, irreg. dimin. of L spira SPIRE(2)
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