treponema

[ trep-uh-nee-muh ]

noun

, plural trep·o·ne·mas, trep·o·ne·ma·ta [trep-, uh, -, nee, -m, uh, -t, uh].

1. any of several anaerobic spirochetes of the genus Treponema, certain species of which are parasitic in and pathogenic for humans and warm-blooded animals.

treponema

/ ˈtrɛpəniːm; ˌtrɛpəˈnɛmətəs; ˌtrɛpəˈniːmə /

noun

1. any anaerobic spirochaete bacterium of the genus Treponema , such as T. pallidum which causes syphilis

Derived Forms

• treponematous, adjective

Other Words From

• trep·o·nem·a·tous [trep-, uh, -, nem, -, uh, -t, uh, s, -, nee, -m, uh, -], trepo·nemal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of treponema¹

1905–10; < New Latin: genus name < Greek trép ( ein ) to turn + -o- -o- + nêma thread

Word History and Origins

Origin of treponema¹

C19: from New Latin, from Greek trepein to turn + nēma thread

Example Sentences

In 1905, Schaudinn discovered the syphilitic treponema in man.

From Project Gutenberg

Syphilis is caused by Treponema pallidum, a small unicellular animal parasite.

From Project Gutenberg

Postmortem examination always shows that the Treponema has wrought wide-spread damage in the brain.

From Project Gutenberg

This disease is caused by a microorganism known as the spirochaeta pallida or treponema pallidum of Schaudinn and Hoffmann.

From Project Gutenberg