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Glite Dictionary
spirillum

spirillum

9.9
A small bacterium that has a spiral shape like a corkscrew
  • noun
  • /spɪˈrɪləm/
  • Specialized
: espirilo
  • A spirillum is a bacterium with a spiral shape that helps it move through water.

Examples

  • A spirillum has a distinctive helical shape that differentiates it from other bacteria.

  • Some species of spirillum can be observed in pond water under a microscope.

  • The laboratory cultured samples of spirillum to study their movement.

  • The spirillum is known for its unique helical shape.

  • Researchers discovered a new type of spirillum in the water.

  • Under the microscope, the spirillum can be recognized by its unique helical structure.

  • Scientists identified a spirillum in the soil sample taken from the wetlands.

Synonyms

spirochete
vsspirillum
  • Specialized
2 9.9

A long thin spiral-shaped germ that can cause disease

is usually stiffer and thicker rather than flexible and slender

Compounds

spirillum fever
  • Specialized
9.9

A disease from rat bites that occurs in parts of East Asia

Spirillum minus
  • Specialized
9.9

A bacterium that causes rat-bite fever in people after a bite from a rat or mouse

Surface Forms

spirillum singular
spirilla plural

Etymology

The word spirillum comes from the Latin word spira, meaning 'coil' or 'twist', and is like the English word spiral. Think of a small corkscrew or spring; a spirillum is a tiny bacterium with a spiral shape.