Any flagellated aerobic bacteria having a spirally twisted rodlike form

• Spirally twisted elongate rodlike bacteria usually living in stagnant water

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary Word definitions in Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
(plural spirilla ), 1875, Modern Latin, diminutive of Latin spira (see spiral (adj.)). So called for their structure.

Wikipedia Word definitions in Wikipedia
Spirillum is a genus of Gram-negative bacteria within family Spirillaceae . There are two species in Spirillum with standing in nomenclature, Spirillum winogradskyi and Spirillum volutans . The taxonomic position of three other species provisionally bearing ...

Wiktionary Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. 1 Any of various aerobic bacteria of the genus (taxlink Spirillum genus noshow=1), having an elongated spiral form and bearing a tuft of flagella. 2 Any of various other spiral-shaped microorganisms.

The Collaborative International Dictionary Word definitions in The Collaborative International Dictionary
Spirillum \Spi*ril"lum\, n. [NL., dim. of L. spira a coil.] (Biol.) A genus of common motile micro["o]rganisms ( Spirobacteria ) having the form of spiral-shaped filaments. One species is said to be the cause of relapsing fever.

WordNet Word definitions in WordNet
n. spirally twisted elongate rodlike bacteria usually living in stagnant water any flagellated aerobic bacteria having a spirally twisted rodlike form [syn: spirilla ] [also: spirilla (pl)]