spirillum

spi·ril·lum

noun \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)

Origin of SPIRILLUM

New Latin, from diminutive of Latin spira coil

First Known Use: circa 1875

Rhymes with SPIRILLUM

vexillum

spi·ril·lum

noun \spī-ˈril-əm\   (Medical Dictionary)

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\ (audio pronunciation) : any bacterium of the genus Spirillum

spirillum

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any of the spiral-shaped bacteria that make up the genus Spirillum, which are aquatic except for one species that causes a type of rat-bite fever in humans. The term is used generally for any corkscrewlike species of bacteria (see spirochete). Spirilla are gram-negative (see gram stain) and move by means of tufts of flagella at each end.