— treponematous /trep'euh nem"euh teuhs, -nee"meuh-/ , treponemal , adj.
/trep'euh nee"meuh/ , n. , pl. treponemas, treponemata /-meuh teuh/ .
any of several anaerobic spirochetes of the genus Treponema, certain species of which are parasitic in and pathogenic for humans and warm-blooded animals.
[ 1905-10; trép ( ein ) to turn + -o- -O- + nêma thread ]