First Known Use: circa 1875
Dictionary
spirillum
noun spi·ril·lum \spī-ˈri-ləm\
plural spi·ril·la\-ˈri-lə\
Definition of SPIRILLUM
: any of a genus (Spirillum) of curved elongated motile bacteria having tufts of flagella at both poles; broadly : a spiral filamentous bacterium (as a spirochete)
See spirillum defined for kids ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of SPIRILLUM
New Latin, from diminutive of Latin spira coil
Rhymes with SPIRILLUM
Medical Dictionary
spirillum
noun spi·ril·lum \spī-ˈril-əm\
Medical Definition of SPIRILLUM
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 b
2
plural spi·ril·la \-ˈril-ə\ : any bacterium of the genus Spirillum
Learn More About SPIRILLUM
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: spirit (noun)Previous Word in the Dictionary: spirillaryAll Words Near: spirillum
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up spirillum? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).