Spirochaeta \Spi`ro*ch[ae]"ta\, Spirochaete \Spi`ro*ch[ae]"te\, n. [L. spira a coil + Gr. ??? hair.]

(Biol.) A genus of Spirobacteria similar to Spirillum, but distinguished by its motility. One species, the Spiroch[ae]te Obermeyeri, is supposed to be the cause of relapsing fever.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)