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Spirochete: meaning, definitions and examples

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spirochete

 

[ หŒspaษชrษ™หˆkiหt ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

bacteria type

Spirochetes are a group of highly flexible, spiral-shaped bacteria. They are characterized by their unique corkscrew motion, which allows them to move through viscous environments, such as bodily fluids. Spirochetes are often associated with various diseases, the most notable being syphilis and Lyme disease. These bacteria can be found in a variety of environments, including soil and waterways, but are most known for their role as pathogens in humans and animals.

Synonyms

corkscrew bacteria, spiral bacteria

Examples of usage

  • The doctor tested for spirochetes in the patient's blood.
  • Lyme disease is caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi.
  • Spirochetes are distinguished from other bacteria by their unique shape.
  • Researchers are studying the movement of spirochetes in different environments.

Translations

Translations of the word "spirochete" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น espiroqueta

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคธเฅเคชเคพเค‡เคฐเฅ‹เค•เคฟเคŸ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Spirochete

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ spiroseta

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ัะฟั–ั€ะพั…ะตั‚ะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ krฤ™tek

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ‚นใƒ”ใƒญใƒ˜ใƒผใ‚ฟ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท spirochรจte

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ espiroqueta

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท spiroket

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์Šคํ”ผ๋กœํ—คํƒ€

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุณุจูŠุฑูˆูƒูŠุช

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ spirocheta

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ spirocheta

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่žบๆ—‹ไฝ“

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ spiroheta

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ spirokett

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ัะฟะธั€ะพั…ะตั‚ะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒกแƒžแƒ˜แƒ แƒแƒฎแƒ”แƒขแƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ spiroxeta

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ espiroqueta

Word origin

The term 'spirochete' is derived from the Greek words 'spira', meaning 'coil', and 'khฤ“t', meaning 'small hair'. The word began to be used in the late 19th century as microbiologists began to identify and classify bacteria based on their shapes. The first spirochetes were observed by the German bacteriologist Paul Ehrlich and later studied extensively by his contemporary, Fritz Schaudinn. In 1905, Schaudinn and his colleague, Erich Hoffmann, described the first spirochete as the causative agent of syphilis, which they named Treponema pallidum. Over time, further research revealed multiple species of spirochetes responsible for various diseases, including Borrelia, which is associated with Lyme disease. This classification has expanded our understanding of these unique microorganisms and their impact on human health.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #33,923 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.