treponema
noun
trep·o·ne·ma ˌtre-pə-ˈnē-mə 
plural treponemata ˌtre-pə-ˈnē-mə-tə or treponemas
or treponemas : any of a genus (Treponema) of spirochetes that are pathogenic in humans and other warm-blooded animals and include the causative agents of syphilis and yaws
treponemal
ˌtre-pə-ˈnē-məl
adjective 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Her own research has led her to suspect that the treponema bacteria originated in the New World, manifesting as yaws and spread through skin-to-skin contact exposed by a warm climate. 
National Geographic, 21 June 2018
National Geographic, 21 June 2018 Word History
Etymology
New Latin Treponemat-, Treponema, from Greek trepein to turn + nēma thread, from nēn to spin — more at needle
First Known Use
1908, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
treponema
noun
trep·o·ne·ma ˌtrep-ə-ˈnē-mə
1
capitalized : a genus of the family Spirochaetaceae comprising anaerobic spirochetes that are pathogenic in humans and other warm-blooded animals and include one (T. pallidum) causing syphilis and another (T. pertenue) causing yaws
2
plural treponemata -mət-ə or treponemas : any spirochete of the genus Treponema
or treponemas : any spirochete of the genus Treponema - deaerators
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