spirillum

noun

spi·​ril·​lum spī-ˈri-ləm 

plural spirilla spī-ˈri-lə 

: any of a genus (Spirillum) of curved elongated motile bacteria having tufts of flagella at both poles

broadly : a spiral filamentous bacterium (such as a spirochete)

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from diminutive of Latin spira coil

First Known Use

circa 1875, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

spirillum

noun

spi·​ril·​lum spī-ˈril-əm 

plural spirilla -ˈril-ə 

: any of a genus of long curved bacteria with a bunch of flagella at both ends

also : any spiral thread-shaped bacterium (as a spirochete)

Medical Definition

spirillum

noun

spi·​ril·​lum spī-ˈril-əm 

1

capitalized : a genus of gram-negative bacteria comprising elongated forms having tufts of flagella at both poles and usually living in stagnant water rich in organic matter see rat-bite fever sense b

2

plural spirilla -ˈril-ə  : any bacterium of the genus Spirillum