What does spirillar mean?
A spirillar is a bacterium whose cell has a spiral or corkscrew-like form. The term is chiefly used in microbiology and related biological disciplines, especially for bacteria of the genus Spirillum, though it may also describe spiral-shaped bacteria more generally. In scientific discussion, “spirillar” can function as a noun for an individual bacterium or as an attributive modifier in expressions such as “spirillar bacteria.” Its specialized meaning should not be confused with the broader adjective “spiral,” which can describe anything arranged in a helix or coil. The word is useful when precision matters because it identifies a particular cellular form rather than merely noting that an object curves. It also has a memorable visual quality: the organism’s name effectively describes the characteristic shape of its body.
nounA spiral-shaped bacterium, especially one belonging to the genus Spirillum.
- A spiral-shaped bacterium, especially one belonging to the genus Spirillum.
"Under the microscope, the spirillar retained its characteristic corkscrew shape."
"The researchers identified the organism as a spirillar."
"Spirillar bacteria differ from merely curved rods in their pronounced corkscrew-like form."
The plural is uncommon because the word is mainly used in specialist biological writing.
"Several spirillars were visible in the prepared sample."
A spirillar carries its spiral in its very shape: its bacterial body coils like a tiny corkscrew.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does spirillar come from?
Spirillar derives from spirillum, a biological term for a spiral bacterium and the name of a bacterial genus. Spirillum is a Latin diminutive of spira, meaning “coil,” which in turn comes from Greek speira, meaning “coil” or “wreath.” The English word belongs to the same root family as spiral and spire.
How spirillar is actually used
This is a chiefly scientific and technical term, uncommon in general English. The taxonomic genus name is capitalized as Spirillum.