spirochaete Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun parasitic or free-living bacteria; many pathogenic to humans and other animals
    spirochete.

WordNet

Spi`ro*chæ"ta, Spi`ro*chæ"te noun (Also<
  • Spirochaeta
  • Spirochaete
  • Spirochæta
  • Spirochæte
)
Etymology
L. spira a coil + Gr. hair.
Definitions
  1. (Biol.) A genus of Spirobacteria similar to Spirillum, but distinguished by its motility. One species, the Spirochæte Obermeyeri, is supposed to be the cause of relapsing fever.

Webster 1913