spi·ril·lum (sp -r l  m)n. pl. spi·ril·la (-r l) 1. Any of various aerobic bacteria of the genus Spirillum, having an elongated spiral form and bearing a tuft of flagella. 2. Any of various other spiral-shaped microorganisms. [New Latin Sp rillum, genus name, diminutive of Latin spra, coil; see spire2.] |
spirillum [spaɪˈrɪləm]
n pl -la [-lə]
1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Microbiology) any bacterium having a curved or spirally twisted rodlike body Compare coccus [1] bacillus [1]
2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Microbiology) any bacterium of the genus Spirillum, such as S. minus, which causes ratbite fever
[from New Latin, literally: a little coil, from spīra a coil]
spirillar adj
| spirillum (sp-rlm) Plural spirilla Any of various bacteria that are shaped like a spiral, such as the spirochete Treponema pallidum, which causes syphilis. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  spirillum - spirally twisted elongate rodlike bacteria usually living in stagnant watereubacteria, eubacterium, true bacteria - a large group of bacteria having rigid cell walls; motile types have flagella genus Spirillum - a genus of bacteria ratbite fever bacterium, Spirillum minus - a bacterium causing ratbite fever |
| 2. | spirillum - any flagellated aerobic bacteria having a spirally twisted rodlike form eubacteria, eubacterium, true bacteria - a large group of bacteria having rigid cell walls; motile types have flagella |
Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content.
| ?Page tools | ||
|---|---|---|
|