leptospire

noun lep·to·spire \-ˌspī(-ə)r\

Definition of LEPTOSPIRE

: any of a genus (Leptospira) of slender aerobic spiral-shaped spirochetes that are free-living or parasitic in mammals

— lep·to·spir·al \ˌlep-tə-ˈspī-rəl\ adjective

New Latin Leptospira, from Greek leptos + Latin spira coil — more at spire

First Known Use: 1952

Medical Dictionary

noun lep·to·spire \ˈlep-tə-ˌspī(ə)r\

: any spirochete of the genus Leptospira—called also leptospira

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