spirillum

[spahy-ril-uh m] /spaɪˈrɪl əm/
noun, plural spirilla
[spahy-ril-uh] /spaɪˈrɪl ə/ (Show IPA). Bacteriology
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.
Origin
1870-75; < Neo-Latin, equivalent to Latin spīr(a) (see spire2) + -illum diminutive suffix
Related forms
spirillar, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for spirillum

spirillum

/spaɪˈrɪləm/
noun (pl) -la (-lə)
1.
any bacterium having a curved or spirally twisted rodlike body Compare coccus (sense 1), bacillus (sense 1)
2.
any bacterium of the genus Spirillum, such as S. minus, which causes ratbite fever
Derived Forms
spirillar, adjective
Word Origin
C19: from New Latin, literally: a little coil, from spīra a coil
Word Origin and History for spirillum
n.

(plural spirilla), 1875, Modern Latin, diminutive of Latin spira (see spiral (adj.)). So called for their structure.

spirillum in Medicine

spirillum spi·ril·lum (spī-rĭl'əm)
n. pl. spi·ril·la (-rĭl'ə)

  1. A member of the genus Spirillum.

  2. Any of various other spiral-shaped microorganisms.

Spirillum n.
A genus of large, aerobic, gram-negative bacteria having an elongated spiral form and a tuft of flagella.

spirillum in Science
spirillum
  (spī-rĭl'əm)   
Plural spirilla
Any of various bacteria that are shaped like a spiral, such as the spirochete Treponema pallidum, which causes syphilis.