combining form of L. spīra, Gr. σπεῖρα, SPIRE sb.3, used in a number of recent scientific terms, few of which have much currency, as Spirobacteria, bacteria with spirally twisted cells; Spirochæte, a genus of bacteria having a highly twisted spiral form.
1876. trans. Wagner’s Gen. Pathol., 93. Spirobacteria are distinguished from vibrio, by the closer and narrower, regular, permanent spiral of the filament.
1877. Huxley & Martin, Elem. Biol., 29. Spirochæte. Much like spirillum, but longer and with a much more closely rolled spiral.
1899. trans. Jaksch’s Clin. Diagnosis, vi. 206. Mobile swarms are seen in the centre of the mass, while at its circumference appear the spirochæte-like bodies.
