spiro-

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a combining form meaning “respiration,” used in the formation of compound words: spirograph.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of spiro-

Combining form of Latin spīrāre “to breathe”

Words nearby spiro-

spiritus vinosus, spirit varnish, Spirit Wrestler, spirit writing, spirketting, spiro-, spirochaete, spirochaetosis, spirochete, spirochetosis, spirograph

Other definitions for spiro- (2 of 2)

spiro-²

a combining form meaning “coil,” “spiral,” used in the formation of compound words: spirochete.

Also especially before a vowel, spir- .

Origin of spiro-

Combining form of Latin spīra, from Greek speîra “coil”

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use spiro- in a sentence

The first, Spiro Agnew, won in 1966 as the liberal running against a segregationist Democrat.
GOP Shocks Democrats in Governor Races|Ben Jacobs|November 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Bill casually proposes to Hillary as the resignation of Vice President Spiro Agnew plays in the background.
Some of the Juiciest Bits of ‘Rodham,’ the Hillary Clinton Movie Biopic: Sex, Scandal, More|Marlow Stern|May 13, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Aaron Burr and Richard Cheney (Spiro Agnew's peccadilloes are miniscule in comparison), some two centuries apart.
A Tale of Two Vice Presidents|Lawrence Wilkerson|May 31, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Is Sarah Palin morphing from Spiro Agnew to the new Nixon before our eyes?
Journalists, Please Take Your Ritalin!|John Avlon|November 17, 2008|DAILY BEAST

The real commander was a Greek captain, named Spiro Calligero.
Biographies of Distinguished Scientific Men|Francois Arago
Hundreds of Corfutes bear his name, now abridged into the familiar diminutive of "Spiro."
The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 03|Various
The spiro-bacteria, or micrococci, are the simplest of the fungi, and appear as minute organisms of spherical form.
Scientific American Supplement, No. 787, January 31, 1891|Various
The spiro-bacteria multiply by spores, although little is at present known of their life history.
Scientific American Supplement, No. 787, January 31, 1891|Various
The stout man looked at Denny and me; then he looked at Demetri and Spiro, who stood near us, smiling their usual grim smile.
McClure's Magazine, Vol. 6, No. 5, April, 1896|Various

British Dictionary definitions for spiro- (1 of 2)

spiro-¹

combining form

indicating breath or respirationspirograph

Word Origin for spiro-

from Latin spīrāre to breathe

British Dictionary definitions for spiro- (2 of 2)

spiro-²

combining form

spiral; coilspirochaete

Word Origin for spiro-

from Latin spīra, from Greek speira a coil

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012