spiro-

spiro-

(word root)

1. breath

Examples: spirograph

2. coil

Examples: spirochete

Abused, Confused, & Misused Words by Mary Embree Copyright © 2007, 2013 by Mary Embree

spiro-

pref.

Respiration: spirometer.

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[From Latin spīrāre, to breathe.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

spiro-

combining form

indicating breath or respiration: spirograph.

[from Latin spīrāre to breathe]

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spiro-

combining form

spiral; coil: spirochaete.

[from Latin spīra, from Greek speira a coil]

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

spiro-

,

a combining form meaning “coil,” “spiral”: spirochete.

[comb. form of Latin spīra < Greek speîra coil]

Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.