spiro-

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-

combining form of Latin spīrāre to breathe

Definition for spiro (2 of 3)

spiro-

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

Origin of spiro-

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

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

A regulation bullet had arrested the advancement of young Spiro, that young officer with so brilliant a future.
The King of the Mountains|Edmond About
During the present life he was hoping for it, "Dum Spiro, Spero."
Notes and Queries, Number 77, April 19, 1851|Various
Demetri and Spiro cannot go with you, but you will be able to manage her yourselves.
Phroso|Anthony Hope
Twice before we had done this with citizens of Apex, and how were we to know that Spiro would resent it?
The Heads of Apex|Francis Flagg
Hundreds of Corfutes bear his name, now abridged into the familiar diminutive of "Spiro."
The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 03|Various

British Dictionary definitions for spiro (1 of 2)

spiro-

combining form

indicating breath or respirationspirograph

Word Origin for spiro-

from Latin spīrāre to breathe

British Dictionary definitions for spiro (2 of 2)

spiro-

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

spiro-

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Nearby words

Origin of spiro-

Definition for spiro (2 of 3)

spiro-

Origin of spiro-

Definition for spiro (3 of 3)

dum spiro, spero

Latin.

Examples from the Web for spiro

British Dictionary definitions for spiro (1 of 2)

spiro-

combining form

Word Origin for spiro-

British Dictionary definitions for spiro (2 of 2)

spiro-

combining form

Word Origin for spiro-

Medicine definitions for spiro

spiro-

pref.