SPIRILLICIDAL Meaning and
Definition
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Spirillicidal is an adjective that corresponds to the action or property of being toxic or destructive towards spiral-shaped organisms or structures. Derived from the term "spiro" meaning spiral and the suffix "-cidal" meaning to kill or destroy, the term describes substances or agents that have the ability to effectively eliminate or neutralize spirals.
The concept primarily finds application in the field of microbiology and pharmacology, particularly when discussing the control or eradication of spiral bacteria or parasites. Spiral organisms such as certain bacteria species, spirochetes, or helically-shaped parasites like certain types of worms, can be potentially harmful or cause various diseases. In medical or scientific contexts, the spirillicidal property refers to the ability of specific drugs, disinfectants, or chemical compounds to specifically target these spiral-shaped organisms, stifling their growth, replication, or causing their outright destruction.
The development of spirillicidal agents has been vital in the treatment and prevention of various infections caused by spiral organisms. These agents can be employed in both medical settings, such as the decontamination of surgical equipment or the treatment of specific diseases, as well as in general use for maintaining cleanliness and sterilization in environments where spiral bacteria or parasites may proliferate.
In summary, the term spirillicidal describes substances or agents with the capability to eliminate or inhibit the growth of spiral organisms or structures, playing a crucial role in the eradication and control of pathogenic species in medical, scientific, and hygienic contexts.
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Destructive to spirilla or spirochetes.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for SPIRILLICIDAL
Etymology of SPIRILLICIDAL
The word "spirillicidal" is derived from two main components: "spirilli" and "cidal".
1. "Spirilli" comes from the term "spirilla", which refers to a type of spiral-shaped bacteria. The word "spirilla" is the plural form of "spirillum", which originates from the Latin word "spirilla" meaning "small coil" or "twisted coil".
2. "-cidal" is a suffix used to indicate the act of killing or destroying. It is derived from the Latin word "caedĕre", which means "to kill" or "to cut".
Therefore, combining these components, "spirillicidal" is a word that carries the meaning of "killing or destroying spirilla". It is commonly used to describe substances or treatments that are effective in eliminating or inhibiting the growth of spiral-shaped bacteria.
