definitions

spiro-

1
|

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

Nearby words

spiritus asper, spiritus frumenti, spiritus lenis, spiritus vinosus, spirketting, spiro-, spirochaeta, spirochaete, spirochaetosis, spirochete, spirochetemia

Origin of spiro-

1
combining form of Latin spīrāre to breathe

Definition for spiro (2 of 3)

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

Definition for spiro (3 of 3)

dum spiro, spero

[ doo m spee-roh, spey-roh; English duhm spahy-roh, speer-oh ]
/ dʊm ˈspi roʊ, ˈspeɪ roʊ; English dʌm ˈspaɪ roʊ, ˈspɪər oʊ /

Latin.

while I breathe, I hope: a motto of South Carolina.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for spiro

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

Medicine definitions for spiro

spiro-

pref.

Spiral; coil; coil-shaped:spirillar.
Breath; breathing;spirograph.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.