leptospire

noun

lep·​to·​spire ˈlep-tə-ˌspī(-ə)r 

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

leptospiral

ˌlep-tə-ˈspī-rəl 

adjective

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for leptospire

• mcintire
• admire
• afire
• aspire
• backfire
• esquire
• expire
• haywire
• hellfire
• inquire
• inspire
• newswire

Medical Definition

leptospire

noun

lep·​to·​spire ˈlep-tə-ˌspī(ə)r 

: any spirochete of the genus Leptospira

called also leptospira