First Known Use: 1908
Dictionary
treponema
noun trep·o·ne·ma \ˌtre-pə-ˈnē-mə\
plural trep·o·ne·ma·ta \-mə-tə\ or trep·o·ne·mas
Definition of TREPONEMA
: any of a genus (Treponema) of spirochetes that are pathogenic in humans and other warm-blooded animals and include the causative agents of syphilis and yaws
— trep·o·ne·mal \-məl\ adjective
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Origin of TREPONEMA
New Latin Treponemat-, Treponema, from Greek trepein to turn + nēma thread, from nēn to spin — more at needle
Medical Dictionary
treponema
noun trep·o·ne·ma \ˌtrep-ə-ˈnē-mə\
Medical Definition of TREPONEMA
1
capitalized : a genus of the family Spirochaetaceae comprising anaerobic spirochetes that are pathogenic in humans and other warm-blooded animals and include one (T. pallidum) causing syphilis and another (T. pertenue) causing yaws
2
plural trep·o·ne·ma·ta \-mət-ə\ or trep·o·ne·mas : any spirochete of the genus Treponema
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