spiro-¹

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

Origin of spiro-¹

combining form of Latin spīrāre to breathe

spiro-²

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

Origin of spiro-²

combining form of Latin spīra < Greek speîra coil

dum spiro, spero

[doo m spee-roh, spey-roh; English duhm spahy-roh, speer-oh]

Latin.

while I breathe, I hope: a motto of South Carolina.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for spiro

Contemporary Examples

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
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
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
Is Sarah Palin morphing from Spiro Agnew to the new Nixon before our eyes?
Journalists, Please Take Your Ritalin!
John Avlon
November 17, 2008

Historical Examples

"The head of Spiro," thought Miles and Ward with sinking hearts.
The Heads of Apex
Francis Flagg
Spiro—for it was indeed he—regarded them with pitiless eyes.
The Heads of Apex
Francis Flagg
During the present life he was hoping for it, "Dum Spiro, Spero."
Notes and Queries, Number 77, April 19, 1851
Various
I will not kill myself because then I should go to hell-fire, but Spiro can do it very well.
The Diva's Ruby
F. Marion Crawford
Spiro knew, no doubt, but she could not demean herself to inquire of a servant.
The Diva's Ruby
F. Marion Crawford

British Dictionary definitions for spiro

spiro-¹

combining form

indicating breath or respirationspirograph

Word Origin

from Latin spīrāre to breathe

spiro-²

combining form

spiral; coilspirochaete

Word Origin

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

spiro in Medicine

spiro-

pref.

Spiral; coil; coil-shaped:spirillar.
Breath; breathing;spirograph.

spiro-.css-pdubzd{font-size:17px;vertical-align:super;}1

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}spiro-1

spiro-2

Origin of spiro-2

dum spiro, spero

Examples from the Web for spiro

Contemporary Examples

The first, Spiro Agnew, won in 1966 as the liberal running against a segregationist Democrat.

Bill casually proposes to Hillary as the resignation of Vice President Spiro Agnew plays in the background.

Aaron Burr and Richard Cheney (Spiro Agnew's peccadilloes are miniscule in comparison), some two centuries apart.

Is Sarah Palin morphing from Spiro Agnew to the new Nixon before our eyes?

Historical Examples

"The head of Spiro," thought Miles and Ward with sinking hearts.

Spiro—for it was indeed he—regarded them with pitiless eyes.

During the present life he was hoping for it, "Dum Spiro, Spero."

I will not kill myself because then I should go to hell-fire, but Spiro can do it very well.

Spiro knew, no doubt, but she could not demean herself to inquire of a servant.

spiro-1

Word Origin

spiro-2

Word Origin

spiro-

spiro-¹

Origin of spiro-¹

spiro-²

Origin of spiro-²

spiro-¹

spiro-²