leptospira

[ lep-tuh-spahy-ruh ]

/ ˌlɛp təˈspaɪ rə /

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noun, plural lep·to·spi·rae

[lep-tuh-spahy-ree], /ˌlɛp təˈspaɪ ri/, lep·to·spi·ras.Bacteriology.

any of several spirally shaped, aerobic bacteria of the genus Leptospira, certain species of which are pathogenic for human beings.

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Origin of leptospira

<New Latin (1917), equivalent to lepto-lepto- + Latin spīra coil; see spire²

OTHER WORDS FROM leptospira

lep·to·spi·ral, adjective

Words nearby leptospira

leptophyllous, leptorrhine, leptosomatic, leptosome, leptospermum, leptospira, leptospiral jaundice, leptospirosis, leptospiruria, leptosporangiate, leptotene

Medical definitions for leptospira

Leptospira

[ lĕp′tō-spī′rə ]

A genus of aerobic spirochetes of the order Spirochaetales, consisting of thin, tightly coiled cells, many species of which cause leptospirosis.