spiro-

¹

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

   spirograph.

spiro-

²

especially before a vowel, spir-

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

   spirochete.

spiro-

¹

combining form

1. indicating breath or respiration

   spirograph

spiro-

²

combining form

1. spiral; coil

   spirochaete

Word History and Origins

Origin of spiro-¹

Combining form of Latin spīrāre “to breathe”

Origin of spiro-²

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of spiro-¹

from Latin spīrāre to breathe

Origin of spiro-²

from Latin spīra, from Greek speira a coil

Example Sentences

He also said he spoke with Jenner-Kardashian attorney Alex Spiro, who allegedly asked him “crazy questions,” including whether he spoke to “feds.”

From Los Angeles Times

In public, he relied on his vice president, Spiro Agnew, to slam the networks as part of an irresponsibly hostile liberal “unelected elite” with “vast power.”

From Salon

His first vice president, Spiro Agnew, was found to have been taking cash bribes for government contracts and was forced to resign from office.

From Salon

Stiller also wants to make a movie based on the Rachel Maddow podcast “Bag Man,” detailing the bribery scandal surrounding Spiro Agnew, Richard Nixon’s vice president.

From Los Angeles Times

And one of those Sian is backing is "phenomenal" singer-songwriter Sienna Spiro, who plays the BBC Introducing stage on Saturday.

From BBC