spirilla

Variant of spirillum

noun pl. spirilla

  1. any of a genus (Spirillum) of bacteria having the form of a spiral thread and characterized by flagella
  2. any of various similar microorganisms

Origin: ModL, dim. of L spira: see spire

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2010 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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