spiro-

¹ American  

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

   spirograph.

---

spiro- ² American  

especially before a vowel, spir-

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

   spirochete.

---

spiro- ¹ British  

combining form

1. indicating breath or respiration

   spirograph

---

spiro- ² British  

combining form

1. spiral; coil

   spirochaete

---

Etymology

Origin of spiro-¹

Combining form of Latin spīrāre “to breathe”

Origin of spiro-²

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