treponema

[ trep-uh-nee-muh ]

/ ˌtrɛp əˈni mə /

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noun, plural trep·o·ne·mas, trep·o·ne·ma·ta

[trep-uh-nee-muh-tuh]. /ˌtrɛp əˈni mə tə/.

any of several anaerobic spirochetes of the genus Treponema, certain species of which are parasitic in and pathogenic for humans and warm-blooded animals.

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Origin of treponema

1905–10; <New Latin: genus name <Greek trép(ein) to turn + -o--o- + nêma thread

OTHER WORDS FROM treponema

trep·o·nem·a·tous

[trep-uh-nem-uh-tuhs, -nee-muh-], /ˌtrɛp əˈnɛm ə təs, -ˈni mə-/, trep·o·ne·mal, adjective

Words nearby treponema

trepang, trephine, trepid, trepidant, trepidation, treponema, treponematosis, treponemiasis, trespass, tress, tressed

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use treponema in a sentence

In 1905, Schaudinn discovered the syphilitic treponema in man.
Life of Elie Metchnikoff, 1845-1916|Olga Metchnikoff
Syphilis is caused by Treponema pallidum, a small unicellular animal parasite.
Being Well-Born|Michael F. Guyer
Postmortem examination always shows that the Treponema has wrought wide-spread damage in the brain.
Being Well-Born|Michael F. Guyer
This disease is caused by a microorganism known as the spirochaeta pallida or treponema pallidum of Schaudinn and Hoffmann.
Surgery, with Special Reference to Podiatry|Maximilian Stern

British Dictionary definitions for treponema

treponema

treponeme (ˈtrɛpəniːm)

/ (ˌtrɛpəˈniːmə) /

noun plural -nemas, -nemata (-ˈniːmətə) or -nemes

any anaerobic spirochaete bacterium of the genus Treponema, such as T. pallidum which causes syphilis

Derived forms of treponema

treponematous (ˌtrɛpəˈnɛmətəs), adjective

Word Origin for treponema

C19: from New Latin, from Greek trepein to turn + nēma thread

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